Banking on Sales

It is only fitting that auto makers choose “Bankfurt,” nickname of Germany's financial capital, to unveil their blue-chip bets for the future.

The 62nd annual Inter-national Motor Show in Frankfurt will see the latest iterations of storied nameplates from niche brands such as Porsche and Mini, while mainstream marques such as Mazda and Dodge unwrap high-volume offerings.

Despite the hoopla that surrounds major auto shows, expect Frankfurt to remain well-grounded. Sustainable mobility is the theme of the event, which takes place against a backdrop of increasing interest in redefining the entry-level car segment.

Arguably, the Porsche 911 GT2 ranks among the most highly anticipated Frankfurt debuts. Touted as the fastest road-going 911 to date, the rear-wheel-drive GT2 is based on the existing 911 Turbo and is powered by a 530-hp 3.6L 6-cyl. boxer engine that can vault the vehicle to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.7 seconds.

Meanwhile, Saab Automobile marks 30 years of turbocharging with the debut of the Turbo X at the Frankfurt show.

Mazda Motor Corp. launches the first redesigned version of its trend-setting Mazda6 line of midsize cars.

Kia Motors Corp. and Volkswagen AG's Skoda brand swap strategies with the former launching a hatchback version of a previously introduced wagon (the Pro-cee'd), while the latter shows a wagon iteration of its Fabia hatch.

In line with its strategy of expanding sales outside the U.S., Dodge lets Europe have the first look at its midsize CUV, the Journey, expected in showrooms by first-quarter next year.

Ford Motor Co. lifts the curtain on the Verve concept vehicle, a starting point for the auto maker's highly anticipated B-car entry, which will be sold in nearly all global markets between 2008-2010.

And under the cloud of an uncertain future, Ford subsidiary Jaguar unveils its production-ready XF, successor to the current S-Type.

Mini debuts its long-awaited Clubman, a stretched version of its popular Mini Cooper.

In terms of size, the Clubman and Verve reflect a trend toward smaller cars that is extending the market's reach.

France-based Renault SA and India's Tata Motors Ltd. are exploring the development of mini cars with starting prices around $3,000.