They’re calling this a ‘reduced’ Frankfurt motor show, because of the non-participation of the likes of Peugeot, Citroën, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Aston Martin and many others.
But we reporters are far happier using the term ‘compact’, for two very good reasons. The first is that we have less walking to do this year. The second — and much more important — is that the non-attendees have allowed more space for a couple of truly historic events.
What motor show could be considered less than important if it featured a) the debut of the Volkswagen ID 3, the first in new family of electric cars and therefore as significant as the Beetle and the Golf; and b) a new Land Rover Defender conceived to replace the Wilks Brothers’ revered 4x4 original, launched 71 years ago?
On top of that, we have Porsche bidding to outdo Tesla (plus Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and others) as the leading purveyor of premium electric cars with the recently revealed Taycan. And there’s a whole bevy of new electric cars from the likes of Honda and Opel-Vauxhall that face up to the opposed (and fiendishly difficult) problems of making them compact, affordable and capable of a decent touring range all at the same time.
Normally, these smaller models would be very decent draw cards at what is still Europe’s biggest motor show, and rightfully so. But this year we’re looking at the kind of debuts from Volkswagen and Land Rover that build new icons that will impact the industry for years, not just decent new models that fizz busily for six to eight years before being deliberately extinguished by something new.
This special pair both truly begin new phases of automotive history. We car lovers must make sure to observe, appreciate and enjoy them on that basis.
Read more
Frankfurt motor show 2019: live updates and news
Join the debate
Add your comment
Smaller? Reduced? or rather, Declining Frankfurt...
It is a sad moment for all of us, car lovers, who had seen Frankfurt and Paris in their hey-days thru the last three decades, though the last one has been on a negative slope.I saw it coming at 2012 Paris, which was quite miserable after the Press days - with most of the launched cars somehow hidden from the crowds. It went on to future Paris and Frankfurt shows, with an ever increasing number of absentees.At the moment, 18 mainstream car brands are missing from this year's Frankfurt motor show - which is terrible news to all of us. What is there to celebrate, Mr. Cropley? An electric VW? A new LR hoping to be an icon? Do you really accept these two as a substitute for a drastically shrunken event?Thank god we've still got Geneva, at least for the next year or two.
Absolutely right. Two cars
Absolutely right. Two cars that look dreadful and are about as much a surprise as a turd in a nappy. Sad to say, neither company truly deserves a prosperous future. So many wasted and abused opportunities...
The ID3 is a huge new car
The ID3 is a huge new car launch - not just VW’s third big attempt at the people’s car, but a whole new platform and way of working.
I suspect that Land Rover might be launching another Discovery tomorrow, rather than a true defender replacement, but we shall see. It could be a very good car regardless.
A huge today tomorrow for both companies - these products are crucial. Mr Cropley is right - it will be a big motor show for these two alone .