L.A. Auto Show switches focus to U.S. automakers

The annual show used to be all about Japanese automakers. Then came the focus on green technology. But this year it's Ford and GM that seem to be making a splash - in part because the California market is becoming more hospitable to the domestics. Ford, for example, is having its best year in the state since 2006. From the Detroit News:

Ford and Lincoln are planning seven vehicle debuts, ranging from Mustangs and ST versions of the Focus and Fiesta, to the freshened Ford Flex family vehicle. Toyota Motor Corp. plans no debuts. Detroit's domestic brands are reporting increased sales in California. New car registrations through September were up 54 percent for the Jeep brand, 25 percent for Ford, 17 percent for Chevrolet and 16 percent for Buick, according to the California New Car Dealers Association.

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After years of squeezing in ahead of the Detroit show in January, LA moved to its fall time slot six years ago. Many now see it as the start of the auto show circuit in North America, followed by Detroit, Chicago and finally New York in the spring. Detroit is seen as the industry show, said LA show spokesman Brendan Flynn. "Around the world, it is seen as where the business happens and has a real industry feel. The personality of the LA show is more product-focused and less industry focused."

As usual, the show is getting bumper-to-bumper coverage, with the NYT, LAT, and Road & Track among those providing frequent updates on the new models. Also, KPCC's Matt DeBord will be live-blogging from the convention center.

Pictured: The 2013 Cadillac XTS