Overview

The 2003 Geneva Motor Show appeared much larger than previous motor shows because of the opening of the new 210,000 square foot Hall 6. In fact there were few new automaker exhibitors, but many of those who did exhibit had more exhibit space. In addition, tuners and body modification firms enjoyed significantly larger exhibit stands.

Austerity was a hallmark of the 2003 Geneva Motor Show as the overhanging economic problems plaguing the worldwide auto industry again were evident.


Key Trends

Product

New and second-generation mini-MPVs were the most prominent new vehicle offerings. Examples include the VW Touran and Ford Focus C-MAX (both new products), and the second-generation Renault Scenic and Fiat Idea.

Entry level super-premium cars from Ferrari (Challenge Stradale) and Lamborghini (Gallardo) appear targeted at opening up a new sub-segment for street-racer wannabes.

No new family cars were introduced. Opel Signum, Kia Opirus and Lancia Ypsilon are targeted at business users or couples.


Interior

Many concept vehicle seats feature exposed, thin shell structures covered with relatively thin cushion and back pads.

Concept vehicle instrument panels are decidedly low-tech – few innovative infotainment or telematics products, for example, the Volvo Versatility Concept Car and the Chrysler Airflite. Exceptions include the Mitsubishi CZ2 Cabrio Concept that used a Sony memory stick to transfer data, and Nissan Evalia’s second-generation interface (a “mobile mouse”).

Steering column mounted instrument binnacles were seen on numerous concepts and some production vehicles.

Center-mounted instrument clusters continue to be used – Renault Scenic II and the Fiat Gingo/Lancia Ypsilon are new applications.

More manufacturers are moving their shift levers off the floor to the chin of the instrument panel. Many claim this arrangement is “more ergonomic” than the traditional floor location.

Paddle shifters – on both auto-shift manual transmissions and manual-shift automatics – continue to proliferate and may, in time, replace the traditional gear shift lever entirely.


Exterior

Exterior door handle presenters, activated by passive remote keyless entry fobs and cards, were shown on some concepts – the Audi Nuvolari is an example.

Fiber optic headlamps continue to be shown on concept vehicles, suggesting that this application may soon be made feasible for production.

LED taillamps are becoming mainstream rear lighting applications.

'Waterfall' roofs, which fall away from a high point above the front seats, continue to find application particularly in mini-MPVs and multi-activity vehicles. The Ford C-MAX is a good example.

Japanese designers are increasingly embodying truncated rear end profiles on crossover utility vehicles, such as the Mazda MX Sportif concept and the Nissan Murano production CUV.

Massive glass roof panels – both fixed and moveable – are being used on production and concept vehicles. Fiat Gingo/Lancia Ypsilon and the Volvo VCC are prominent.

Sliding rear doors are expected to appear on B- and C-class cars, following the pattern of such doors on the Nissan Evalia and Peugeot Sesame concept cars.


Safety

Taillamps that change intensity or lighting pattern to tell how hard the vehicle is braking are becoming more prevalent. Nissan’s Evalia concept’s taillamp pattern rotates at increasing speed as the brakes are applied harder.

Infrared capability added to rearview TV parking aids for nighttime parking was shown by Nissan on the Evalia concept.

More side curtain head air bags are being applied – and are becoming standard equipment.