Geneva Motor Show: Dazzle reflects upbeat consumer mood
Automakers take the wraps off their new creations this month in Geneva. (Keystone)
Keystone
Aston Martin’s flashy new supercar (for the James Bond in all of us). (AFP)
AFP
Volkswagen’s emissions scandal draws a prankster making mock repairs. (Reuters)
Reuters
Luxury brands like Rolls Royce reflect an upswing in the industry mood. (Reuters)
Reuters
A new Bentley draws some well-heeled consumer interest. (Reuters)
Reuters
Porsche’s new hybrid reflects interest in high tech wizardry. (AFP)
AFP
Opel’s CEO presents the sleek new concept car. (Keystone)
Keystone
Something for everyone: a new Citroen reflects consumer interest in green efficiency. (Keystone)
Keystone
The new Bugatti Chiron supercar makes a splash. (Reuters)
Reuters
A journalist sits next to a dummy during a virtual Toyota test drive. (Keystone)
Keystone
Europeans have begun to embrace SUVs like this new Peugeot. (Reuters)
Reuters
Citroen’s concept car reflects interest in new and big ideas. (Keystone)
Keystone
Maserati’s entrance into the luxury SUV market. (Keystone)
Keystone
A journalist takes a selfie in a car. (Keystone)
Keystone
New sport-utility vehicles, supercars and other four-wheeled concepts are grabbing the spotlight at this year’s Geneva International Motor Show, reflecting the industry’s improved mood against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty.
The emphasis on high-riding SUVs, audaciously sporty cars and new technologies reflects automakers’ strategies for boosting sales in Europe and other regions outside of North America, where cheap fuel contributed to a record number of vehicles sold last year.
Europeans have begun welcoming the SUV, helped by low oil prices, but sales in Europe still lag below previous highs amid worries that low oil prices could weaken the global economy. Italian luxury carmaker Maserati, for example, introduced a new luxury SUV to compete with the likes of the Jaguar F-Pace and Porsche Cayenne.
Supercars from Aston Martin, Bugatti, Ferrari and Lamborghini have turned heads. New concept cars also are drawing attention, as automakers vie to entice consumers who reflect a wide variety of tastes and purchasing power – and who are increasingly concerned with the quality of their audio, entertainment, and navigation and communication systems.
(Picture editor: Christoph Balsiger, swissinfo.ch, Text: John Heilprin, swissinfo.ch)
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