A group of 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrids drive down the Santa Monica Pier during the ‘Think Blue. World Championship 2012’ competition on Tuesday, November 27, 2012. The drivers competed in a fuel efficiency challenge from San Francisco to Santa Monica. Driver who completed the run with the lowest fuel consumption was the winner. There were 17 countries competing in the race. Germany took first place with a mileage of 49.9 miles per gallon. The Volkswagen fuel saving championship shows that environmentally aware driving is just as challenging as any other driving competition – but much better for the environment. More conscious driving can cut fuel consumption by up to 25%.

Members of the media test drive the all-new Ford Fusion hybrid at the Santa Monica Civiv Auditorium during a press conference on Tuesday, September 18, 2012.

The all-new Ford Fusion is the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan in America with an EPA-certified 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway and 47 mpg combined fuel economy rating for its hybrid model.

Fusion Hybrid tops the Toyota Camry Hybrid by 8 mpg highway and 4 mpg city, and delivers the highest-ever fuel economy numbers in city and highway driving for a midsize sedan.

"The new Fusion is part of our plan to offer vehicles with the very best quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and value," says Alan Mulally, Ford president and CEO. "We are absolutely committed to class-leading fuel efficiency as a reason to buy Ford vehicles, with customers able to choose the fuel-efficient powertrain that best fits their lifestyle."

Dozens of high performance Fords were featured during Los Angeles Shelby American Automobile Club's 8th Annual Tony Sousa Car Show at the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, September 15, 2012. The show was open to all Shelby, Cobra, Mustang and Ford cars. Featured cars included various classic Mustangs, as well as newer models belonging to club members. Net proceeds will benefit the LAPD Pacific Division's Winter Wonderland toy give away this holiday season.

A Toyota Prius tries to jump-starts another Toyota Prius at Bay Street. (Thursday, December 15, 2011)

Classic Car show and Holiday Toy Drive - Images by Fabian Lewkowicz

The Southern California Dukes 7^th annual Classic Car show and Holiday Toy Drive  at the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, November 5, 2011.

Plug In Day Parade - Images by Fabian Lewkowicz

Some 200 Electric vehicles  drive on Main Street during the National Plug In Day Parade on Sunday, October 16, 2011.

New and legacy plug-in vehicles by GM, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Toyota, SMART, Ford, Tesla, Coda and others participated in the flagship parade through downtown Santa Monica.

“Only a few years ago, major automakers were literally crushing electric cars. Today, virtually every auto company in the world is selling or developing a plug-in car, and consumers are snapping up each and every one, stimulating our economy while helping the environment. You’ll see hundreds of these vehicles in National Plug In Day activities. And remember: EVs are powered by domestic electricity, so every cent we spend to run them stays in America,” says Plug In America co-founder and Sierra Club member Paul Scott.

Plug In America is leading the nation’s plug-in vehicle movement. The nonprofit organization works to accelerate the shift to plug-in vehicles powered by clean, affordable, domestic electricity to reduce our nation’s dependence on petroleum and improve the global environment. We drive electric. You can, too. www.pluginamerica.org.

The country’s largest-ever plug-in parade was organized by Plug In America.

A person looks at a vintage Mustang during the Los Angeles Shelby American Automobile Club's 7th Annual Tony Sousa Car Show at the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, September 17, 2011. The show was open to all Shelby, Cobra, Mustang and Ford cars. Featured cars included various classic Mustangs, as well as newer models belonging to club members.