Wheels of change in Frankfurt

Imagine 40 football fields. This year’s Frankfurt Motor Show is a little bigger than that.

>Click here for the slideshow on the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The 65th edition of the show has taken up nearly 2.5 million square feet of exhibition space and every bit of that space has been occupied, with the global automobile industry, the media and auto buffs converging on the German city.

This year, too, the show featured some high-profile world premieres and unveiling of concept cars. This, at a time when Europe, especially its automobile industry, is yet to recover from the slowdown.

According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), a Brussels-based industry body, 6.2 million new cars were registered in the EU in the first six months of this year, which is 6.6 per cent less than in the same period last year.

Barring the UK, which expanded by 10 per cent, sales fell in all other markets – by 4.9 per cent in Spain, 8.1 per cent in Germany, 10.3 per cent in Italy and 11.2 per cent in France.

Yet, this did not prevent global automobile companies, including European manufacturers, from showcasing their products, technology and concepts at the show.

A few figures to put the show in perspective: It has about 1,100 exhibitors from 35 countries; 159 world premieres, of which 70 are from vehicle manufacturers; and, nearly 11,000 journalists from 100 countries are covering the event – the first two days, September 10 and 11 are designated press days.

>Frankfurt Motor Show 2013: A drive-through (more photos)

German contingent

As expected, the German contingent, led by Mercedes-Benz, was in full force, displaying its concepts and new products, besides exhibiting existing vehicles.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class coupe concept, the Audi Sport Quattro concept, the BMW i8, Volkswagen e-Golf were some of the concept cars on display. Stylish sports cars, luxurious premium sedans, crossovers, hatchbacks, hybrid cars and electric cars, sports utility vehicles, among others, were all on display.

With emissions regulations becoming more stringent, vehicle manufacturers are going in for advanced technologies, lightweight vehicles and more sophisticated engines, or developing hybrids and electric vehicles to meet emission norms.

Europe, for instance, has a more stringent emissions target than other markets. By 2020, the target is to bring carbon dioxide emissions down to 95 gram per km, which is stiffer than in the US, where the target is 121 g, China 117 g and Japan 105 g.

Indian market

Not all vehicles may hit the Indian market, although quite a few looked like they will. For instance, Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan had showcased the concept of a compact sports utility vehicle – codenamed iV-4 – that is to be launched in Europe in 2015.

Maruti Suzuki had showcased its own concept of a compact SUV at the Delhi Auto Expo in 2012.

Nissan showcased the new X-Trail, which too, may find its way into the Indian market.

Volkswagen had the world premiere of a near-production concept Golf Sportsvan, a vehicle that emphasises sporty design and everyday utility.

Given the growing compact SUV market in India, will this model find its way into Volkswagen’s portfolio here?

The compact BMW i3, powered by an electric drive system and positioned as a city vehicle, is another prospective car that will attract affluent buyers in India.

> ramakrishnan.n@thehindu.co.in

(The writer was at the Frankfurt Motor Show at the invitation of Jaguar Land Rover.)

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