Showtime in San Diego

Despite a tough couple years in Detroit, the auto industry remains committed to the future. And the best way to see where that future is headed is by seeing the cars on display at our premiere auto shows. 2010 kicked off with the 10th annual San Diego International Auto Show from December 30 to January 3 featuring hundreds of new models, concept cars, exotics, trucks, vans and alternative fuel vehicles. The last category here is ever expanding as automakers strive to quench the thirst for greener vehicle options.

The theme of this year's show was "Where the Cars ARE the Stars!” The show included a tribute to the Model T and an overview of the history of the auto industry, courtesy the La Jolla Motor Car Classic, beginning with a 1904 DeDion-Bouton and ending in the muscle car era. It's the kind of exhibit that gives a context to what the automobile is all about, incorporating nostalgia from the early years to the mid-sixties.

But the primary focus of American auto shows is a forward look, to make us dream. And one car that made us dreamy was Mike Yonemitsu's 2010 BOMEX Silver Arrow Widebody Camaro. We liked it here, of course, because Mike has taken special care to ensure this baby purrs by nourishing it tip to toe with AMSOIL fluids and lubricants.

Many opportunities existed for test drives and there were even some giveaways. The Eco-Center showcased the latest fuel-saving and environmentally friendly technologies. And the mood remained celebratory throughout.

If you've never been to one of these kinds of shows, it's worth your while to check one out. They are open to the public and designed to make you smile. Next week, Detroit's putting on the dog. And later this spring the Big Apple will once more polish some chrome for the home team. Stay tuned for coming attractions.