Free Press previews Frankfurt auto show

Posted on Monday, September 14th, 2009 at 11:21 AM EDT.

The Detroit Free Press says the Frankfurt auto show promises as much political intrigue as new-vehicle news when it kicks off Europe’s new-car season in Germany on Tuesday.

According to the story, the show will be the first major automotive event since:

• GM and Chrysler went through bankruptcy

• Italy’s Fiat gained control of Chrysler

• GM and the German government spent months wrestling over Opel, long the critical piece of GM Europe

• Volkswagen acquired Porsche in a bitter financial feud

The massive Frankfurt show has downsized as the global economy faltered this year, the story says. Several automakers have pulled out of the show, and some buildings usually filled with expensive displays, executives and new vehicles will sit vacant, the Free Press reports.

According to the Free Press, nearly two dozen new vehicles bound for the United States will be unveiled at the show. That includes everything from a preview of Buick’s upcoming compact sedan to a sporty compact from Lexus, a little BMW SUV, Mini’s first sport coupe and the plug-in version of Toyota’s Prius hybrid.  (The Detroit Free Press)

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