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CAP Blog > CAP Blog > Martin's Blog
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Sep
23
Written by:
Martin Ward
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Frankfurt motor show highlights
Despite the motor industry being in the doldrums and sales being down massively around Europe, there was no shortage of manufacturers and suppliers having their massive stands open at this years show. Most manufacturers were in attendance and had plenty of staff around to answer any questions. The bright lights in the numerous halls must have cost a fortune, as must the glittery stands. As production has been cut and many jobs lost, you have to wonder just how the unfortunate people back in the plants must feel about this show and the huge amount of money that has spent on it. However, manufacturers do have to have a stage to show off their new models and the Frankfurt show is the perfect place to do that. In the long run, it’s worth spending the money on the exhibition rather than trying to reduce costs and hoping to be noticed somewhere else.
The main theme this year was new green technology and it seemed that just about every manufacturer had something on display that was green. There were a number of concept cars that will inevitably hit the market, looking very similar to show cars in the next couple of years but green was the main talking point. Many manufacturers were saying that they will soon have competitively priced electric vehicles on offer to the European market. Renault has said that they will be the first to offer a full mass produced version of the Kangoo. BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz took a hall each and these exhibitions on their own were nearly as large as the entire Geneva motor show.
 AUDI – Had the very impressive R8 V10 Spyder on display. It looks amazing and will no doubt be on the top of every premier league footballer’s shopping list. Audi also showed their concept sports car that we are led to believe will be very close in design to the all new TT. It has the look of an R8 to it, only smaller.
ASTON MARTIN – The new Rapide four door saloon was at the show but the amount of people crowding around it made it impossible for most people to see. At an expected price of around £200,000, it is the closest most people will get to it. It will be a very rare sight on the roads.
 GM – Had the Opel/Vauxhall Ampere on display, which is due on sale next year. The Ampere is fitted with a 1.3 litre petrol engine that charges a series of under floor batteries that in turn power the electric motors to turn the wheels. The petrol engine is only running when power is needed to charge the batteries. There is no direct link between the petrol engine and the wheels.
 LEXUS – Had their concept LF-Ch model on display. It is a C sector premium five door hatchback which has very similar dimensions to the Audi A3 sportback. This concept car is likely to go on sale in early 2011 and could look very similar to the show car. It will be offered with a full hybrid system similar to its cousin, the Toyota Prius.
 TOYOTA – The Auris will be offered with a full hybrid system from next year, similar to that in the Prius. It will be available in a standard existing production car and built in the UK. With the hybrid system going into the Auris, this should cut costs and make it more available to a wider audience.
 MERCEDES-BENZ – Has confirmed the SLS will go into full production. It is based on the SL, but has a hard top with ‘gull wings doors’.
MINI – Had the concept two seat Coupe and Roadster on display. Both are likely to become production cars in the next couple of years and will be built at Cowley in the UK.
TRABANT – Are trying to re-launch their cars with the potential introduction of an all electric car that is made out of plastic, as opposed to the original version that had a Duroplast body, but was often referred to as being ‘made of cardboard’. The new Trabant company are currently looking for external partners to help fund the project.
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