LA Auto Show contrasts foreign automakers empahsis on efficiency, as US makers focus on performance

In California, the LA Motor Show is underway and the BBC ran an article contrasting the approach of foreign automakers highlighting small, fuel-efficient cars, compared to the the launch of a new V6 and V8 version of the Ford Mustang for increased performance. The BBC review focused on the new all-electric Mini that gets 150 miles per charge, and commented that GM’s focus was on flex-fuel technology and E85 instead of bringing forward its hybrid line faster. GM’s precarious financial position was highlighted as a reason that the company focused on the low-cost E85 path, while waiting until 2010 to launch its plug-in hybrid Volt, which it has dubbed a “Prius-killer”.

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