Frankfurt focus: 80 models ready to launch

September 12, 2005

Frankfurt, Germany - The 61st Frankfurt international auto show opened to the media on Monday with more than 80 models on display for the first time. Around 1 000 car and component manufacturers from 44 countries have displays and we'll be updating our Frankfurt auto show special" through the night.

Among the stars of this year's event are the Volkswagen Eos convertible - a four-seater replacement for the current Golf cabriolet - the upmarket Audi Q7 SUV and the luxurious Mercedes-Benz S-class. During this week automakers will show off their latest creations to thousands of motoring journalists and on Saturday the exhibition will open to the public.

The show is acknowledged as one of the most important events in the car calendar; this year it comes at a time of spiralling fuel prices in Europe and pressure on manufacturers to cut production costs. The automotive industry is vital to Germany's economy; about one in every seven jobs depends on its success.

Japanese and Korean makes have made substantial inroads into the German auto market in recent years and this year China's car industry is represented for the first time with Geely, Brilliance and Landwind models on show. (Motoring.co.za)

Yesss sir, this here is the biggie as far as major auto shows concerned. We get to see 2006 production models right here and get to dream about them too. Drool, drool....drool. I'll post selective snapshots on my Dream Car Gallery, hehe.