Ford officials put on a brave face at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, insisting the company had a future even as US auto industry executives sought a multi-billion dollar bailout.

Ford`s President for the Americas Mark Fields said that despite the financial turmoil engulfing US car makers, the Los Angeles event was an opportunity to show the company was continuing to develop new products.

`Clearly, there are lots of things going on in the industry right now, we`re going to stay very focused to offering products that consumers are going to want to put on their list,` Fields said. `We`re not going anywhere.`

Ford is using the Los Angeles show to unveil a modified version of its hybrid Ford Fusion.

The two other major US car makers, General Motors and Chrysler, are exhibiting in Los Angeles but have cancelled formal press events this week.

Ford, GM and Chrysler are seeking a 25-billion-dollar bailout from the US Government to help jump-start the auto industry.

`What we`re requesting as an industry right now is a loan, not a bailout,` Fields said. `Loans get repaid. We have liquidity through at least 2009, but we never know what`s going to happen in terms of the economy.

`So we`re in Washington right now, as a company and an industry, requesting at least access to capital, if necessary.`