UNDER THE BIG TOPS; Global auto show scene in transition.(News)

Byline: BOB GRITZINGER

When auto show season kicks off in earnest at the biennial enthusiasts' lovefest in Paris later this month, news about the auto shows themselves might steal some headlines from the car premieres.

Changes in the Los Angeles show epitomize what is different on the global auto show scene: Los Angeles gets official "international'' designation and is moving to a new early-December slot for this year, and early November for 2007 and beyond on the annual calendar.

For the past 25 years, when the L.A. show convened at New Year's or immediately thereafter, it struggled for the spotlight against Detroit's North American International Auto Show. NAIAS typically draws media beginning in early January and opens to the public by mid-January.

Now out from under the huge shadow cast by Detroit, L.A.'s second show of 2006-set for Dec. 1-10 (the first was at its usual time in January this year)-is drawing a strong response from automakers. At least 12 companies plan worldwide premieres at Los Angeles, including Nissan, which is hosting its first global debut at the Southern California show since 1999.

L.A.'s stature was further enhanced when it received international sanctioning by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles. OICA is a Paris-based international automotive trade association that coordinates international auto shows, among other functions. OICA also added Chicago and New York to the list of internationally sanctioned shows in the States, joining Detroit. This year Los Angeles shares the international designation with Detroit; Chicago will be designated along with Detroit in 2007; New York becomes ...