Autoblog: LA Auto Show 2009, 2010 Dog Friendly Honda Element

Honda certainly can't be accused of running a dog and pony show here at the LA Auto Show, because there were no ponies. They did, however, have the adorable Luna and Toby on hand to demonstrate their clever Dog Friendly system on this Honda Element. It's essentially a collapsible ramp and pup tent (couldn't resist) with tethers that keeps dogs secure in back while protecting the interior of your vehicle from stains and pet hair.

We've shown you this Dog Friendly setup before, but couldn't resist snapping a few pics of the system in action, especially now that it's available. The Dog Friendly package is available on any 2010 Honda Element model for an extra $995. besides the nylon kennel and ramp, the system includes a cushioned bed, a spill-proof water dish, a small 12-volt ventilation fan, seat covers for the second row, and rubber floor mats with a bone motif. Seems like a reasonable price for keeping one's pets safe and secure, especially considering it's a custom fit package from the people who actually build the vehicle itself.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/2010-honda-element-dog-friendly-los-angeles-2009/

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger behind the wheel of Vision Concept

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger gets behind the wheel of BMW’s futuristic hybrid concept car – the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept – during his press conference highlighting green cars at the Los Angeles International Auto Show on December 1, 2009.

Peter Miles, Executive Vice President of Operations for BMW of North America, (center, front) showed Governor Schwarzenegger the finer points of the sports car, which can travel 431 miles before it needs to be charged and re-fueled.The “green show” of the year starts tomorrow with the press days and opens to the public on Friday, December 4th.

The BMW Vision Concept will also make its U.S. debut tomorrow and it is considered to be one of the stars at this year’s auto show. As always, we’re going to report live and offer you an impressive gallery of photos.
....and here's Arnold in front of the Honda FCX Clarity....

Source;

http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/12/02/governor-arnold-schwarzenegger-behind-the-wheel-of-vision-concept/

Honda P-NUT Coupe Concept Destined for 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show

Crack as many jokes about the name as you want, but the P-NUT -- or Peronsal-Neo Urban Transport -- concept will be another look at an ultra-futuristic Honda coupe.

Few details (and no images, the one above is a random logo pic) are being released at this time, but Honda does note that the concept, which is designed and crafted by the automaker’s Advanced Design Studio in Los Angeles, demonstrates “a futuristic concept for an ultra-compact, aggressively designed coupe.” The same studio was also responsible for the FC Sport concept (pictured) shown at last year’s L.A. show.

We’re told this will have no relation to either the concept or production CR-Z, and won’t focus on powertrain innovations. Instead, expect Honda’s designers to toy with new ways of packaging an ultra-small coupe. This could literally mean anything -- a two passenger urban-commuter like Nissan’s Land Glider isn’t completely out of the question, although some of us yearn for a modern take on the Beat roadster…

We’ll have all the details on the P-NUT come December 2, when the car makes its debut at the Los Angeles auto show in the afternoon. Stay with Automobile Magazine for all the latest news surrounding the Honda concept and the 2009 L.A. show itself.

Source;
Honda, and;
http://rumors.automobilemag.com/6608271/news/honda-p-nut-coupe-concept-destined-for-2009-los-angeles-auto-show/index.html

LA Preview: Toyota set to debut 2011 Sienna minivan

Soccer moms, NASCAR dads and empty-nesters rejoice! It looks like Toyota is going to debut its 2011 Sienna minivan in Cali next month at the 2009 LA Auto Show. Although the minivan market doesn't get a lot of playtime on enthusiast websites, the segment remains an important (if shrinking) one for full-line manufacturers. While Toyota's past minivans have ranged from the bizarrely interesting (Previa) to the drab but competent (current Sienna), word has it Toyota plans to introduce a van that will once again make it the segment's top choice.

No specifics have been released, but we've previously heard that the new Sienna would be shifting to the MC platform that Toyota uses for the Camry, Highlander, RAV4, Venza and even the Prius. Personally we're hoping for a lower, wider, luxury vehicle with an available hybrid model. That, or something like the JDM Alphard/Vellfire we saw at SEMA. We'll have all the details and a bunch of live shots on December 2 when we see it at the Los Angeles Convention Center, but in the meantime.

[Source: Toyota]

PRESS RELEASE:All-New Third-Generation Toyota Sienna to Make World Debut at 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show

TORRANCE, Calif., November 9, 2009 - - Toyota will stage the world premiere of the all-new 2011 Sienna minivan at a press conference at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.The press conference will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 10:35 a.m. at the Toyota exhibit space in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center. A video clip of the press conference will be available for viewing following the event on the Toyota.com website.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/la-preview-toyota-set-to-debut-2011-sienna-minivan/#continued