You know things are serious when The Detroit Free Press sends a special issue of the newspaper to Congress outlining as to why this aid to the automotive industry is so important (here). The title is "A Message to Washington: Invest in America." Interesting, and a coincidence I'm sure, is that the last study of the editor is "Anger."

Here's AutoObserver's take: Detroit Free Press Delivers Special Edition to Congress

Some in Congress are concerned about Cerberus' commitment to Chrysler (here).

For GM, Plan "B" is "Bankruptcy" (here).

"Find the gearshift by starlight," Nissan said as the 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible's retractable hardtop opened to the L.A. Convention Center's, uh, starry, starry rafters.

The new G convertible gets 325 horsepower from its 3.7-liter V6, mated to a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission.

Full pricing has not yet been announced, but the limited-run G37 Convertible Premier Edition sold exclusively through Bloomingdale's annual holiday catalog is priced just under $60,000.

Infiniti's first convertible in nearly two decades goes on understanding next spring. — Kelly Toepke, News Editor

Cast aside in the corner, the 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid sure played second fiddle to its Ford Fusion Hybrid sibling today during the Blue Oval's L.A. show press conference.

Jim Farley, Ford's group VP of marketing and communications, confidently said, "With Fusion and Milan, Ford will become the number-one producer of hybrids in America."

That's all the love the Milan Hybrid received as the spotlight shone brightly on the Fusion. — Kelly Toepke, News Editor

Read the 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid full story

There hasn't been a lot of wow news or wow production numbers at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, but a little bit of both were on display at the Hyundai show stand. Amid a flutter of dancers flouncing about with white sheets, Hyundai Blue Drive was unveiled, the company's new short- and long-term strategy for environmentally friendly and fuel-saving technologies.

Here are some of the many highlights.

It's a 50-camera pile-up in front of the Ford stand, and I have absolutely no intent who's in the middle.

Poor bastard. — Kelly Toepke, News Editor

Only minor tweaks exist under the skin of the new Mazda3. But the new sedan — despite being 3.3 inches longer — looks more aggressive than the car it replaces. The big news is the car's styling. To our eyes the current sedan never looked as sharp as the five-door — subtle differences to every panel added up to a much different-looking machine.

Since they have about $1.38 in acquirable cash these days, Ford passed on doing separate press conferences for Lincoln, Mercury and the Blue Oval. Instead, they did one all together — problem was, they weren't all on the same stage. As we sat there staring at the enormous Ford stage, this disembodied voice started speaking. We could see the teleprompter, but no promptee. Ford had called the auto show equivalent of an audible and started its 2010 Lincoln MKZ press conference over the gathered media's right shoulder at the Lincoln area (which moments early was the hors d'oeuvres station).

Anyway, I managed to get over there in time to hear the presentation and snap a few photos. The refreshed 2010 Lincoln MKZ now looks much less like a rebadged Fusion taking multiple design cues from the MKS (customers have apparently identified the split grille as "Lincolnesque"). In particular, the cut doesn't seem to be as high, lending a sleeker appearance. The interior is much richer-looking than the outgoing retro cabin and is a spitting image of the MKS.

There wasn't much mention of Mercury at the press conference, just the new Milan Hybrid sadly sitting in a corner. — James Riswick, Edmunds.com Automotive Editor

For full details, check out Inside Line's 2010 Lincoln MKZ Auto Show story.

Seriously.

Everything else you want to know about the new Mazda 3 can be found here.

Josh Jacquot, Senior Road Test Editor

Check out those funbags:

Nice rack:

Josh Jacquot, Senior Road Test Editor

Mercedes unveiled four GLK SUVs at its reception last night. This one, tuned by RENNtech, is inspired by open-class Pikes Peak racecars. Here RENNtech president, Hartmut Feyl, discusses the SUV's various "enhancements."

Perhaps the most significant change to the Rally Racer is the addition of an electric motor inline between its engine and seven-speed transmission — effectively making it a hybrid. The electric motor is only good for about 25 hp and 40 lb-ft of torque by itself, but is in addition to a claimed 350 horsepower from the GLK's 3.5-liter V6. RENNtech used the heads, cams and exhaust manifolds from the European SLK to bump power in the gasoline engine. The whole mess is controlled by a custom calibrated RENNtech ECU.

Sixteen-inch front brake rotors and proprietary RENNtech calipers bring the GLK to a stop. The future addition of nickel-metal hydride batteries will allow regenerative braking.

Feyl says the additional bodywork is designed to create downforce. And who could doubt it? Did you see the wing? The whole car is wrapped in a unique 3M contact material which sticks to the ABS plastic panels.

Josh Jacquot, Senior Road Test Editor