LA Auto Show highlights innovative breakthroughs

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The 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show will be open to the public from November 22 until December 1, but there were several events ahead of that time to recognize the burgeoning factors changing the automobile industry.

The show floor at the Convention Center is packed with car exhibits, as one would expect from one of the most influential auto shows in the world. In addition to the vehicles, there are several exhibits of technology companies as well, such as Airbiquity. 

Thursday featured several press conferences and award ceremonies. California legislators Fran Pavley and Henry Perea were recognized by the Auto Alliance as Legislators of the Year, while the Honda Accord secured the 2014 Green Car Journal Green Car of the Year award. Honda also won the 2012 award for the Honda Civic GX, making Honda the first company to win the award twice in a three-year span and the second to win multiple awards (Chevrolet won the 2008 and 2011 awards).

VIA Motors, headed by longtime automobile executive Bob Lutz, announced the start of production on the world's first full size electric pickups and vans. The company expect to begin consumer sales sometime in 2014.

Another feature of this year's show is that Toyota will allow any licensed driver over the age of 18 to test drive the new vehicles and automatically receive a $500 voucher towards a new Toyota, as well as be entered for a $500 gas card at the end of the event.