(openPR) - Journalists Attending the Los Angeles Auto Show Get an Exclusive Opportunity to Sample More than 25 Vehicles Representing a Broad Array of Alternative Fuel Platforms

Los Angeles – Oct. 15, 2008 – The Green Cars/LA Auto Show Ride and Drive, taking place on Nov. 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., brings together one of the broadest selections of green and high-mileage vehicles available for side-by-side test drives. During the second LA Auto Show Press Day, more than 25 vehicles will be available from 11 manufacturers representing North American, European and Asian automakers.

Journalists will have an exclusive opportunity to drive hydrogen fuel cell, electric, gas-electric hybrids, biodiesel and clean diesel vehicles. Several of the participating vehicles will be World Debuts unveiled at the LA Show. Other vehicles are in such limited quantity that previous test drive opportunities have been very rare or simply unavailable, including the Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell sedan, GM’s Equinox Fuel Cell and Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV electric car.

During the past several years the LA Auto Show has developed a strong reputation as a key show for emerging green trends and vehicles. With the convergence of higher fuel prices and an automotive environmental movement underway, the LA Auto Show provides the ideal venue for journalists to get first-hand experience behind the wheel of newer and significant alternative fuel vehicles.
“It’s important for journalists to get behind the wheel and test these advanced vehicles themselves,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com. “At the Green Cars/LA Auto Show Ride and Drive, the press can truly get a better understanding of the different technologies and options out there by actually experiencing these innovative vehicles on city streets.”

In addition to showcasing new technologies, the Ride and Drive will feature demonstrations from the Auto Alliance's EcoDriving instructors as part of a nationwide consumer awareness campaign. The EcoDriving program is designed to educate consumers about simple ways to save money at the gas pump, reduce fuel use and cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions today, regardless of the vehicle they drive.

The campaign centers on an interactive website, www.EcoDrivingUSA.com, which includes a video guide to EcoDriving, an "EcoCalculator" to determine benefits for individuals or states, a virtual road test and a variety of educational tools. During the Ride and Drive, EcoDriving instructors will be demonstrating the EcoDriving techniques in vehicles seen on the road every day.

Adding to the LA Auto Show green experience will be the unveiling of Green Car Journal’s 2009 Green Car of the Year® award winner, which will be announced at an 8:45 a.m. press conference immediately prior to the Ride and Drive on the morning of Nov. 20. Green Car Journal, the leading automotive environmental magazine that’s been covering this field since 1992, initiated this annual award in 2005 and it has continued to grow in significance as consumer demand for more fuel efficient and environmentally positive vehicles has increased exponentially.

Antonia Stahl, M.A. - Public Relations
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media@LAautoshow.co.uk

About the Los Angeles Auto Show

For the third year in a row, the Los Angeles Auto Show will be held in the fall. The show opens for media only Nov. 19 and 20. The Ride and Drive is a one day event exclusively for registered journalists attending the LA Auto Show. Public days run from Nov. 21-30.
For general information visit www.LAautoshow.com.