Automakers dressed in “green” at the Detroit auto show, but it wasn’t enough for a vocal band of Michigan college students (pictured left) aligned with the Freedom from Oil Campaign.

Donned in green hard hats and gathered under a big blue balloon a long block from Cobo hall, the 50 activists flashed their enthusiasm. They beat their bucket drum, danced on the concrete sidewalk and fired up their megaphone, promising: “We will not drive cars that drive climate change.”

Urging the biggest U.S. and overseas automakers to go all out to arrest fuel inefficiency, the demonstrators — under the watchful eye of a few police — agitated for zero oil, zero emissions and more environmentally friendly jobs.

“If they start making super-efficient vehicles, it will stimulate the economy and curb climate change,” said Nick Magel, a director of Freedom from Oil. 

Even as automakers have unveiled hybrid or electrically powered cars they sell or intend to build, like General Motors’ Chevrolet Volt (pictured left) plug-in hybrid car, they are rolling out ever more large SUVs and pickups.

GM has said it wants to begin selling the Volt in 2010, while Toyota at the show on Sunday showed off its plug-in hybrid technology.
 

(Photos: Reuters)