The first day of the Los Angeles Auto Show is just about to wrap up, and it's been an interesting one. Today's themes have been alternative fuels, fuel economy, and surviving the economic downturn.

The day got off to an unusual start with General Motors Vice Chairman of Marketing Communications, Bob Lutz, filling in for ousted GM CEO Fritz Henderson at the keynote speech during breakfast. Other than expressing sadness over Henderson's departure, Lutz would not talk about Henderson leaving, and he stared down the one journalist who dared ask about it. After that, the real day's work began.

Much of the focus has been on Chevrolet's Volt extended-range electric car, but Chevy also showed off the U.S. version of its compact Cruze four-door sedan, which will replace the Cobalt. Volkswagen modeled a refreshed New Beetle and an urban runabout concept, while Toyota took the wraps off its next Sienna minivan.

Other intros of note included the much-awaited Mazda 2 and U.S.-spec Ford Fiesta small cars, as well as the 2011 Hyundai Sonata and 2011 Kia Sorento SUV. The remaining automakers on the schedule either showed pie-in-the-sky concepts or gave the American media its first look at cars that originally debuted earlier this year in Frankfurt.

What will tomorrow bring? Check back in the late afternoon Central time to find out.