Whatever your taste in cars, and whatever your automotive needs and wants may be, you’re guaranteed to find it at Geneva in March. Everything you could wish for is here; from unimaginable extravagance to the world’s cheapest new car. And much more besides.

Of course, it could be argued that some other major international motor shows offer a similar display of four-wheeled diversity and never-seen-before models, but it’s only at the Palexpo where the cars take priority over corporate excess and there’s a tangible atmosphere of excitement and optimism.

Regular visitors will be know that, with few exceptions, most of the manufacturers’ stands are right where they were last year, and the year before, while first time show-goers are able to easily navigate themselves through wide aisles of the four main halls of low-rise stands.

I hesitate to use the word ‘theme’ for a matter of such importance and global implication, but unsurprisingly there’s barely a manufacturer that isn’t now deeply concerned and pro-active about matters ‘green’. Small cars, electric power, hybrid power, hydrogen fuel cell power, LPG power, bio power and all manner of renewable energy and low carbon footprint product is omnipresent at Geneva in ‘08. The massive research and development being undertaken by almost all is determined and ongoing. Before our eyes, the motorcar is being reinvented, almost like the horse and carriage being replaced around a century ago. There’s much still to be achieved of course, and even some of the less ambitious goals may still take a while, but a stroll around Palexpo should convince you that the environment is definitely an industry top priority. And on a lighter note, white cars are very much back in vogue, while crossovers continue to gain rapid momentum.

What follows is my route through the show with what caught my eye, captured my interest and sparked my imagination along the way. It’s by no means the only route, and although I tried, I certainly don’t imagine that I saw everything of importance that is there to see, but once again I had a great time doing it. Come with me and enjoy.

By Tom Stewart, independent motoring writer.



Some pictures from past events