2010 LA Auto Show Update

Five Green Car of the YearŽ Finalists

The winner of Green Car Journal’s 2011 Green Car of the YearŽ Award will be announced on the morning of November 18 at an LA Auto Show press conference. The winner will be selected from five finalists nominated by Green Car Journal editors, including the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, 2011 Ford Fiesta, 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid and the 2011 Nissan LEAF.

For the first time, the finalists include two primarily electric-drive vehicles in addition to two hybrids and a high mile-per-gallon, gasoline internal combustion engine.

To be nominated vehicles must stand out as exemplary models that forward environmental performance in meaningful and quantifiable ways. Market significance and “newness” are also factors. All nominees must be on sale by January 1 of the award year.

The winner will ultimately be selected by a panel of jurors that include leaders of the nation’s top environmental organizations, including Carl Pope, chairman of the Sierra Club; Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council; Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of Ocean Futures Society and Matt Petersen, president of Global Green USA. Also, Jay Leno, noted auto enthusiast and host of the “Tonight Show,” as well as automotive icon Carroll Shelby join Green Car Journal editors in rounding out the 2011 jury.

Extreme Concepts
Reign in Los Angeles

The Jaguar C-X75 is a super car that is capable of running purely on electric power for about 68 miles per charge. It also has an on-board power-generating system to extend its range to 560 miles.

The show will feature at least 15 concepts vehicles ranging from wild design studies to realistic brand design directions. Mazda will debut its Shinari concept which will serve as a basis for Mazda's new design language in future production vehicles and Lotus will debut five totally new vehicles, all expected to eventually become production vehicles. BMW's 6 Series Coupe may be called a concept but it's most likely a preview of the upcoming third-generation 6 Series.

The more extreme concept debuts include KIA's Pop, Jaguar's C-X75 as well as yet to be seen concepts from Nissan and a several other manufacturers.

The KIA Pop is a chrome-colored, three-seater with an electric drivetrain, oblong-shaped side windows, spaceship-like cabin and front-hinged doors; POP is a fully-electric, zero-emissions car.

Volvo CEO Keynotes Motor Press Guild Breakfast on Wednesday, Nov. 17

Stefan Jacoby to Share Vision of U.S. and Chinese Auto Markets and Alternative Fuel Solutions

Stefan Jacoby, president and chief executive officer of Volvo Car Corp., will kick off the Los Angeles Auto Show by delivering the Motor Press Guild (MPG) keynote address the morning of Nov. 17, 2010. The MPG breakfast and Jacoby's address are open to all credentialed Press Days attendees. A Q&A session will be part of the presentation and he is expected to share his vision of the U.S. and Chinese auto markets, and viable alternative fuel solutions during his LA Auto Show keynote.

Jacoby was elected president and chief executive officer of Volvo Cars in August 2010. Prior to that, he spent most of his professional career at Volkswagen, where he held several senior positions – the latest as of October 2007 serving as the president and chief executive officer of Volkswagen Group of America. This is the 12th year that the MPG breakfast has opened the Los Angeles Auto Show Press Days. MPG is comprised of approximately 800 automotive journalists and public relations professionals nationwide, making it the largest automotive press association in the country.

World and North American Debuts Unveiled During 26 Manufacturer Press Conferences

The A7 Sportback makes its North American debut and represents a new market segment for Audi.

The new 2011 Chrysler 200 mid-sized sedan has been completely redone both inside and out.

Fiat is returning to the U.S. and the LA Auto Show aftter a 27-year hiatus and will feature the U.S. market 500 - Cinquecento.

Infiniti enters the luxury hybrid segment with its first-ever hybrid the M35, in which the electric motor engages up to 50 percent of driving time.

Porsche is reviving the legendary Speedster name on a limited-edition, open-top version of the 911.

The redesigned 2012 Volkswagon Eos hard top convertible makes its world debut.

Southern California Edison and the Electric Drive Transportation Assocation will launch the new GoElectricDrive.com consumer website featuring information on owning and operating an electric car.

Press Conference:
Thurs, Nov. 18 at 9:00 am.

TEST-DRIVE THE LATEST HYBRID AND ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES

NOVEMBER 18 FROM 9:40 A.M. - 3:30 P.M.

The Green Cars/LA Auto Show Ride & Drive enables journalists to experience back-to-back comparison drives of exciting, new and experimental models that offer high fuel efficiency, low environmental impact or run on a variety of alternative fuels.

A dozen manufacturers featuring more than 20 vehicles will provide a rare opportunity for journalists to perform real-world testing of vehicles on LA city streets.

Nielsen Automotive will be presenting the 1st annual Nielsen Automotive Green Marketer of the Year Award.

Press conference:
Thurs, Nov. 18 at 8:00 am.