(10 Sep 2013) The world's auto manufacturers are moving on from turbulent times - without help from Europe's lagging car markets.
Recovering auto sales in the United States and continuing strength in China have helped lighten the mood at this year's Frankfurt Auto Show, where automakers have set out to wow potential customers with electric and hybrid-drive vehicles and the latest technology.
Latest sales figures show the key US market on pace for 16 million in sales this year, finally reaching the 2007 level from before the financial crisis and recession.
But the only good news out of the show's home market, Europe, is that sales appear to be halting their steep decline.
Germany's Daimler, Volkswagen and BMW are all making money thanks to sales outside Europe and are showing off new products with swagger and glitz at their home show.
"As far as the market is concerned, I think we have seen the worst - we had the beginning of a recovery but it will be a slow one and a long one, as far as we can see it," Daimler's CEO Dieter Zetsche told the Associated Press.
Major themes at Frankfurt include electric and hybrid autos, often in higher performance and price categories, and new small SUVs, an increasingly popular category in Europe.
"Short-term, nobody of us will get a return on these investments, but definitely in long-term the development will go in this direction, and if you don't learn this lesson today, you will not be in the game tomorrow," Zetsche commented on focus on electric and hybrid cars.
With hybrids and electrics only 0.2 percent of the market, analysts say that the prospects for sales and profits remain uncertain.
They can help companies meet government requirements for lower average emissions - and position them to be ready if such vehicles take off.
"I think the hopes are on China, a second wave, the fact that the big cities, the mega cities in China have introduced restrictions for the registration of new cars will push electric cars," researcher Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer said.
The Chinese market is becoming increasingly important, said the President of Infiniti.
"We are focusing now on the globalisation of the brand, moving away from our strong US-centric focus, and I think it's clear that China must represent the next focus area for us," said Johan De Nysschen.
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