LA Auto Show: Top 10 highlights

And now that the show's public days are under way, and we've had a week to digest the unveilings, MLive Autos has put together a top 10 list of highlights from the two days of debuts.

DETROIT, MI- The 2012 LA Auto Show was full of news from the world’s largest automakers, including the Detroit Three.

And now that the show's public days are under way, and we’ve had a week to digest the unveilings, MLive Autos has put together a top 10 list of highlights from the two days of debuts.

The list, which combines the highlights from both days, is a mix of Detroit Three-centric news and the overall show:

10. Toyota beats out Chevy, Ford

Chevrolet and Ford brands were finalists for Nielsen Automotive's "Green Marketer of the Year," but lost to Toyota.

Toyota won by leveraging their effective Prius family ad campaigns as well as their social media events to vault to the top, according to officials.

9. Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi unveiled its all-new 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander crossover at the show; followed by a surprise performance from some members of the USC marching band and cheerleading squad.

8. Fiesta’s surprise entrance

When introducing the new 2014 Ford Fiesta ST and 2014 Ford Fiesta with the 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine,Ford Motor Co. enlisted Global RallyCross driver Ken Block and his Fiesta racer to burn some rubber around the new vehicles.

7. Hyundai rocks out, unveils new unique convertible concept

The Veloster C3 concept appeared to steal the show for Hyundai, until a “wholesome” family busted out their instruments for the 2013 Santa Fe and started performing.

6. Speedy showcases

Shelby/Galpin Auto Sports, and Saleen showed off some of their best vehicles, alongside Lotus, Morgan and Aston Martin (see slideshow below).

5. Ford wins ‘Green Car of the Year’

Thanks to its product overhaul and mission to be the most fuel-efficient automaker in America, Ford won the Green Car Journal’s 2013 “Green Car of the Year” award for the 2013 Fusion, which offers an array of powertrain options, including plug-in hybrid, hybrid and gasoline.

4. Honda gives new life to Civic

Only one year after a full redesign of its award-winning Civic, Honda Motor Co. unveiled an aggressive “refresh” for 2013.

3. Detroit Three

General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC each stood out a bit at the show.

The presentations ranged from a topless Romanian model and a “little blue pill” to a Global RallyCross driver doing doughnuts outside of the Los Angeles Convention Center.

2. Luxury automakers – particularly Mercedes-Benz

Nine luxury automakers debuted vehicles Nov. 28, but Mercedes-Benz really thought outside of the box with its vehicles.

The luxury automaker unveiled two worldwide debuts – the Mercedes-Benz Ener-G Force concept and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series; as well as a few other debuts.

1. All the unveilings

The LA Auto Show is open to the public from Nov. 30 through Dec. 19. About 50 vehicles, including at least 17 worldwide unveilings, occurred during the show’s press preview days Nov. 28 and 29. Check the embedded slideshows to see the vehicles for yourself.

Click here for all of MLive Autos' coverage of the LA Auto Show.

Email Michael Wayland: MWayland@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/MikeWayland