Los Angeles, the city of dreams. At least it will be from December 4-13 as the Auto Show rolls into town. With the old-guard Detroit show's significance waning, the LA show has injected some glamour back into America's motor show calendar and despite the economic situation this year's show looks to be a cracker.
For a start all the major firms are due to attend, recent 'world' shows having seen many manufacturers pulling out in a bid to save some money - a stand at a motor show not coming cheap. But the LA show is compact, meaning reasonably-sized stands and easier access for visitors - it's an easy stroll around the five halls of the Los Angeles Convention Center. Tickets are sensibly priced too, with on-the-door prices capped at just $12 (just over £7) and discounts available if you book in advance online.
Get that ticket and wander the halls and you'll see not just new metal and concepts including the Porsche Boxster Spyder, Lexus LFA, MINI Roadster Concept, BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept and many more, but there's a performance orientated hall where tuners are displaying ways to make your own car go quicker.
The LA show has traditionally held a design challenge too and this year is no different. The theme for the 2009 show is 'Youthmobile 2030'. It looks at how the role of the car will change and connect with a new generation of drivers in the not-too-distant future.
LA is America's most forward-looking environmental state so you can expect the manufacturers to roll out their big green guns, with hybrids and alternative vehicles certain to be big news at the show. The Europeans will continue to attempt to persuade the Americans into diesels, though hybrids and full electric machines will also grace plenty of the stands at the LA Convention Center.
If you're not able to make it then be sure to check in with us at Yahoo! Cars, as we'll be reporting on all the debuts, reveals and news from LA as it happens.
