LA Auto Show -- Live Blog (Tuesday 11/16/10)

1:14 PM PST

We've traveled to Pomona, California--about 45 miles east of Downtown LA, where Ford is showing off it's ecoboost engine. We're in a parking lot outside the big NASCAR race course here.

Truck owners are driving the new F-150, as Ford works to prove that it's Ecoboost six cylinder can provide the power you used to only see with a V-8.  Media get to drive the pickup, as well as some other products that we'll soon be seeing with Ecoboost, including European vehicles like the C-Max and Mondeo.  A version of the C-Max is coming to the U.S....but not the Mondeo.

The purpose is to show that you still can get better fuel economy out of a traditional internal combustion engine. 

10:30 AM PST

Even before breakfast word coming out that the Chevrolet Volt had been named Motor Trend Car of the Year.

We had a chance to catch up with a number of GM executives at an event to launch the Volt, and to unveil the Chevy Camaro Convertible.

In fact, a number of Volts were lined up end to end at a parking lot in Los Angeles, to let journalists who had'nt driven the Volt yet get their chance.  I had a chance to drive an early model volt around this lot last year...and, drove one in the Detriot area a month ago.

The Camaro convertible wasn't driveable yet...but I did get to sit in one..set up inside the "J Lounge", which is GM's LA Auto Show headquarters.

After this, we head off to a race track to check out Ford's Ecoboost engine.

4:30 AM PST

Another early morning, thanks to the time difference. Good time to get prepared for the day.

First thing in the email box, was a set of GM photos for the new Camaro Convertible, which will be unveiled later this morning at an event previewing the LA Auto Show. We'll have updates later, but this photo sure looks nice.

There are too many preview events today for one person to cover. We're doing three. We'll be at the GM event at 7:30, then drive out to Fontana (an hour or so east) to a big race track where Ford will be demonstrating fuel efficient Ecoboost engines.

In the evening, Chrysler will show off a dealership of the future...including the Fiat brand...near downtown Los Angeles.

WWJ LA Auto Show coverage sponsored by Faurecia.