Geneva Motor Show: Curtain Call More Than Curtain Raiser
March 09, 2009
By Nick Kurczewski
GENEVA - This year's Geneva motor show might well be remembered as the curtain call for several struggling automotive brands more than a curtain-raiser for exciting new vehicles.
Nearly every major car company along with the eclectic mix of sports car and design firms that give Geneva its unique appeal are in attendance at the show, which held its press days last week and now is open to the public.
But like the dozens of closed or idled car factories around the world, Geneva seemed eerily quiet for a place that should have been buzzing with activity. Even the most noteworthy new vehicles failed to provide a necessary spark to lift the crowd.
This was sometimes due to things as simple as conservative styling - the mechanically competent but dull-looking Volkswagen Polo being a prime example.
More vibrant vehicles were often overshadowed by the financial woes and slumping sales of the parent company.
For instance, the Opel Ampera, based on the upcoming Chevrolet Volt, combines a high-tech drivetrain with a fresh-looking and futuristic exterior. In Geneva, the handsome Ampera sedan looks every bit a winner. However, the dire financial condition of General Motors, parent company of Opel, casts serious doubt on the viability of GM's European brand and whether the Ampera will reach production.
Show-stopping debuts weren't the only things lacking from this year's show. For some brands, the cars appear to have gone missing too.
Chrysler, specifically, has its usual amount of floor-space and a prosaic mix of minivans and sedans on display. The amount of empty acreage between each vehicle makes you wonder if a shipment of cars got left at the docks. It's an indication of exactly what ails the struggling American company. A sprinkling of rebadged small cars - courtesy of Chrysler's new partner, Fiat Group - would go a long way towards filling gaps in company's lineup, not to mention its stand in Geneva.
The absence of loud and splashy vehicle introductions meant that smaller companies were
free to steal the spotlight. Design and engineering firms like Italdesign-Giugiaro and EDAG exhibited bold concepts that combined sporty looks and eco-friendly manners.
Billed as the "world's fastest hybrid," the wedge-shaped Giugiaro Namir promises a top-speed of 187 m.p.h. and fuel efficiency exceeding 90 m.p.g.
The EDAG Light Car uses electric-motors, lightweight construction, and a body covered with programmable LED lighting.
For a full rundown on vehicles and concepts that made their debut at the Geneva motor show, check the auto show section at Edmunds' Inside Line.
Photos
1 - The show floor in Geneva was quieter than past shows. (Photo by Edmunds)
2 - GM introduced the Chevrolet Volt-based Opel Ampera at the Geneva motor show, but its debut was overshadowed by GM's financial woes. (Photo by GM)
3 - The lack of activity at the Geneva motor show allowed little companies the opportunity to make big splash as EDAG did with its light car. (Photo by EDAG)
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