by Dick Stewart

Created on: March 31, 2009

I was killing time reading boring press handouts while I waited for the free press breakfast line to open at the 2008 LA Auto Show, but it turned out okay, because it put me at a convivial breakfast table with veteran auto journalist Denise McCluggage, Automobile's Tech Editor Don Sherman, and representatives from Popular Mechanics, San Francisco Examiner, etc. I later found Denise next to me on the 2nd row at the Keynote Address by Renault/Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn. I was intrigued by Mr. Ghosn's commitment to a technology that I have been advocating for years - exchangeable batteries - with a twist.

He's betting that the only way to make battery powered electric cars commercially viable is to provide them with batteries that are leased from the manufacturer. This strategy lowers the purchase price, and because the battery is exchangeable, when new technology with higher energy density or recharge rate, or other improvement comes on line, it automatically gets installed at the next "fill-up." That way the car itself is not rendered obsolete. My own hit on this is that it also encourages competition, so that if someone other than the car's manufacturer invents a better battery, you can switch when your lease is up.

Meanwhile, with fanfare only slightly less glittery than last year's GTR intro, his company debuted the new Nissan 370Z, with its innovative rev-matching transmission technology. I long ago let go of my ego's need to claim expertise at the hallowed heel-and-toe exercise (I currently drive an "automanual") so I have nothing but praise for a manual shifted gearbox that blips the throttle perfectly on downshifts for me. The new lighter, more powerful car looks better, too. I had never warmed to the original Z-car's style, but the more tightly-wrapped body, shortened and widened, looks more purposeful - a real contender in the more affordable sports coupe ranks.

Another Nissan/Renault product intro was a retractable version of their Infiniti G-37. I reassured a friend for whom I'd found a pristine Certified Used E-46 BMW M-3 Convertible, that he need not be concerned that it would challenge his car's street credentials. With the extra weight of its retractable hardtop on top of its already porky chassis (relatively), and its eight horsepower deficit, it's a no-brainer.

There was no press conference at GM or Chrysler. There were a couple of pre-production Volts and Camaros at the Chevrolet stand, but the Chrysler/Dodge exhibit looked to be in mourning, dark

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