LEAD IN:

Japanese auto brand Toyota has showcased the second generation of its hydrogen fuel cell saloon car in the Netherlands.

The all-new Mirai claims a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling and is set for launch this year in Japan, North America and Europe. But lack of infrastructure persists.

STORY-LINE:

While most of the auto industry hurtles toward battery-electric vehicles, Japan's top car maker is also banking on hydrogen.

At an event in Amsterdam, Toyota is showing off its second generation Mirai fuel cell saloon, due for launch later this year in Japan, North America and Europe.

This version claims up to 30 percent more range thanks to a redesigned fuel cell system and new three-tank layout.

According to communications executive Vincent Dewaersegger, that means a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling.

"It's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank," he says.

"And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

Toyota first introduced its hydrogen-powered Mirai sedan back in 2014 and has since sold 10,000 models.

A fuel cell mixes hydrogen with the oxygen in the air to generate electricity that can power a motor.

The main challenge is a lack of infrastructure. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), there are currently just 125 hydrogen stations in the EU.

Toyota is also showing off its new RAV4 plug-in hybrid in Amsterdam.

It's the fifth generation of the popular SUV and the first to offer a plug-in hybrid option.

Toyota luxury brand Lexus is showcasing a future vision of electric cars with this LF-30 concept car.

The LF-30 offers a vision of electric mobility in the 2030s with autonomous driving technologies and four in-wheel electric motors.

A steer-by-wire system eliminates mechanical connections, allowing more flexible control.

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is," says designer Ian Cartabiano.

"So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle."

Lexus is also presenting the UX 300e, its first electric vehicle.

Its 54.3 kWh lithium-ion battery claims a range of 400 kilometres and a top speed of 160 kilometres per-hour.

Toyota's new GR Supra runs on traditional petrol.

With the new two-litre version, Toyota says it has lessened the weight, meaning a different driving experience.

"The biggest difference is the weight," says marketing executive Tatsuya Namura.

"There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

Toyota also used the Amsterdam event to launch its new high-tech mobility brand, Kinto.

Under pressure from rideshare companies Uber and Lyft, Toyota is planning to offer car-sharing and ride-hailing services through Kinto.

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet," says Johan van Zyl, the president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.

"So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

Amsterdam, Netherlands - 14 January 2020

1. Wide of screen, showing promo for new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

2. Various of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Vincent Dewaersegger, Communications Executive, Toyota:

"The platform has been designed from the beginning for hydrogen component, so we could really have much more freedom in terms of styling, and we could have this kind of a coupe-like styling. Also, it's a new technology, more efficient and also, we have more tank capacity, more tanks. So that means the two together, we can really increase the range by 30 percent. So, it's quite, for me, it's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank. And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

4. Mid of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

5. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's hydrogen tanks

6. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's range and refuelling time

7. Wide of new Toyota Mirai

8. Various of new Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid SUV

9. Various of new Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

10. Setup shot of Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer, opening LF-30 door

11. Close of Lexus LF-30 interior

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer:

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is. So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle. And personally, I really love the profile and I love the shape language of this car. I love how it moves from fluid to extremely sharp at the rear and to me as the artist, that gets me excited."

13. Wide of Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

14. Various of Lexus UX300e electric car

15. Various of new Toyota GR Supra

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Tatsuya Namura, Marketing Executive, Toyota:

"The biggest difference is the weight. There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

17. Close of new Toyota GR Supra interior

18. Mid of new Toyota GR Supra

19. Wide of Toyota presentation, announcement of Kinto brand

20. Close of Kinto logo onscreen

21. Setup shot of Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, speaking during presentation

22. Wide of screen, reading (English): "Mobility for All"

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe:

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet. So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

24. Various of Toyota LQ concept car

25. Various of Toyota personal mobility technology

LEAD IN:

Japanese auto brand Toyota has showcased the second generation of its hydrogen fuel cell saloon car in the Netherlands.

The all-new Mirai claims a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling and is set for launch this year in Japan, North America and Europe. But lack of infrastructure persists.

STORY-LINE:

While most of the auto industry hurtles toward battery-electric vehicles, Japan's top car maker is also banking on hydrogen.

At an event in Amsterdam, Toyota is showing off its second generation Mirai fuel cell saloon, due for launch later this year in Japan, North America and Europe.

This version claims up to 30 percent more range thanks to a redesigned fuel cell system and new three-tank layout.

According to communications executive Vincent Dewaersegger, that means a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling.

"It's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank," he says.

"And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

Toyota first introduced its hydrogen-powered Mirai sedan back in 2014 and has since sold 10,000 models.

A fuel cell mixes hydrogen with the oxygen in the air to generate electricity that can power a motor.

The main challenge is a lack of infrastructure. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), there are currently just 125 hydrogen stations in the EU.

Toyota is also showing off its new RAV4 plug-in hybrid in Amsterdam.

It's the fifth generation of the popular SUV and the first to offer a plug-in hybrid option.

Toyota luxury brand Lexus is showcasing a future vision of electric cars with this LF-30 concept car.

The LF-30 offers a vision of electric mobility in the 2030s with autonomous driving technologies and four in-wheel electric motors.

A steer-by-wire system eliminates mechanical connections, allowing more flexible control.

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is," says designer Ian Cartabiano.

"So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle."

Lexus is also presenting the UX 300e, its first electric vehicle.

Its 54.3 kWh lithium-ion battery claims a range of 400 kilometres and a top speed of 160 kilometres per-hour.

Toyota's new GR Supra runs on traditional petrol.

With the new two-litre version, Toyota says it has lessened the weight, meaning a different driving experience.

"The biggest difference is the weight," says marketing executive Tatsuya Namura.

"There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

Toyota also used the Amsterdam event to launch its new high-tech mobility brand, Kinto.

Under pressure from rideshare companies Uber and Lyft, Toyota is planning to offer car-sharing and ride-hailing services through Kinto.

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet," says Johan van Zyl, the president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.

"So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

Amsterdam, Netherlands - 14 January 2020

1. Wide of screen, showing promo for new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

2. Various of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Vincent Dewaersegger, Communications Executive, Toyota:

"The platform has been designed from the beginning for hydrogen component, so we could really have much more freedom in terms of styling, and we could have this kind of a coupe-like styling. Also, it's a new technology, more efficient and also, we have more tank capacity, more tanks. So that means the two together, we can really increase the range by 30 percent. So, it's quite, for me, it's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank. And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

4. Mid of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

5. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's hydrogen tanks

6. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's range and refuelling time

7. Wide of new Toyota Mirai

8. Various of new Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid SUV

9. Various of new Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

10. Setup shot of Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer, opening LF-30 door

11. Close of Lexus LF-30 interior

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer:

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is. So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle. And personally, I really love the profile and I love the shape language of this car. I love how it moves from fluid to extremely sharp at the rear and to me as the artist, that gets me excited."

13. Wide of Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

14. Various of Lexus UX300e electric car

15. Various of new Toyota GR Supra

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Tatsuya Namura, Marketing Executive, Toyota:

"The biggest difference is the weight. There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

17. Close of new Toyota GR Supra interior

18. Mid of new Toyota GR Supra

19. Wide of Toyota presentation, announcement of Kinto brand

20. Close of Kinto logo onscreen

21. Setup shot of Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, speaking during presentation

22. Wide of screen, reading (English): "Mobility for All"

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe:

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet. So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

24. Various of Toyota LQ concept car

25. Various of Toyota personal mobility technology

LEAD IN:

Japanese auto brand Toyota has showcased the second generation of its hydrogen fuel cell saloon car in the Netherlands.

The all-new Mirai claims a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling and is set for launch this year in Japan, North America and Europe. But lack of infrastructure persists.

STORY-LINE:

While most of the auto industry hurtles toward battery-electric vehicles, Japan's top car maker is also banking on hydrogen.

At an event in Amsterdam, Toyota is showing off its second generation Mirai fuel cell saloon, due for launch later this year in Japan, North America and Europe.

This version claims up to 30 percent more range thanks to a redesigned fuel cell system and new three-tank layout.

According to communications executive Vincent Dewaersegger, that means a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling.

"It's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank," he says.

"And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

Toyota first introduced its hydrogen-powered Mirai sedan back in 2014 and has since sold 10,000 models.

A fuel cell mixes hydrogen with the oxygen in the air to generate electricity that can power a motor.

The main challenge is a lack of infrastructure. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), there are currently just 125 hydrogen stations in the EU.

Toyota is also showing off its new RAV4 plug-in hybrid in Amsterdam.

It's the fifth generation of the popular SUV and the first to offer a plug-in hybrid option.

Toyota luxury brand Lexus is showcasing a future vision of electric cars with this LF-30 concept car.

The LF-30 offers a vision of electric mobility in the 2030s with autonomous driving technologies and four in-wheel electric motors.

A steer-by-wire system eliminates mechanical connections, allowing more flexible control.

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is," says designer Ian Cartabiano.

"So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle."

Lexus is also presenting the UX 300e, its first electric vehicle.

Its 54.3 kWh lithium-ion battery claims a range of 400 kilometres and a top speed of 160 kilometres per-hour.

Toyota's new GR Supra runs on traditional petrol.

With the new two-litre version, Toyota says it has lessened the weight, meaning a different driving experience.

"The biggest difference is the weight," says marketing executive Tatsuya Namura.

"There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

Toyota also used the Amsterdam event to launch its new high-tech mobility brand, Kinto.

Under pressure from rideshare companies Uber and Lyft, Toyota is planning to offer car-sharing and ride-hailing services through Kinto.

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet," says Johan van Zyl, the president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.

"So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

Amsterdam, Netherlands - 14 January 2020

1. Wide of screen, showing promo for new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

2. Various of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Vincent Dewaersegger, Communications Executive, Toyota:

"The platform has been designed from the beginning for hydrogen component, so we could really have much more freedom in terms of styling, and we could have this kind of a coupe-like styling. Also, it's a new technology, more efficient and also, we have more tank capacity, more tanks. So that means the two together, we can really increase the range by 30 percent. So, it's quite, for me, it's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank. And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

4. Mid of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

5. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's hydrogen tanks

6. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's range and refuelling time

7. Wide of new Toyota Mirai

8. Various of new Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid SUV

9. Various of new Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

10. Setup shot of Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer, opening LF-30 door

11. Close of Lexus LF-30 interior

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer:

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is. So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle. And personally, I really love the profile and I love the shape language of this car. I love how it moves from fluid to extremely sharp at the rear and to me as the artist, that gets me excited."

13. Wide of Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

14. Various of Lexus UX300e electric car

15. Various of new Toyota GR Supra

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Tatsuya Namura, Marketing Executive, Toyota:

"The biggest difference is the weight. There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

17. Close of new Toyota GR Supra interior

18. Mid of new Toyota GR Supra

19. Wide of Toyota presentation, announcement of Kinto brand

20. Close of Kinto logo onscreen

21. Setup shot of Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, speaking during presentation

22. Wide of screen, reading (English): "Mobility for All"

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe:

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet. So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

24. Various of Toyota LQ concept car

25. Various of Toyota personal mobility technology

LEADIN:

Car maker Toyota's announced it's teaming up with giant online retailer Amazon, restaurant chain Pizza Hut and the taxi services Uber and DiDi to create a new market place with no dividing line separating our lives from online commerce.

The company says it's a game changer turning it from a car manufacturer, to an all-encompassing mobility experience.

STORYLINE:

This is the new e-Palette, which Toyota hopes will transform the way we live and work in a future where fewer people are actually driving cars.

It's a series of modular vehicles which can be anything from a workplace, to a retail outlet to a shared ride.

According to Toyota, the e-Palette's open interior design layout means it can be outfitted with purpose-built interiors in accordance with the user's needs, whether it be for parcel delivery, ride sharing, or on-the-road e-commerce.

Toyota unveiled it's vision of a new age of automation at the Consumer Electronics Show.

The corporation's President Akio Toyoda explains the concept:

"We want the car to be a seamless extension of your phone and computers, a kind of personal assistant on wheels able to anticipate your needs through predictive artificial intelligence. A new mobility service platform is also the engine behind our car sharing test market in Hawaii and San Francisco. In the future much of mobility on demand, or mobility as a service will be powered by autonomy, which in turn is supported by vehicle electrification. Today I am pleased to announce that some of the initial members of our e-Palette alliance includes Amazon, DiDi, Pizza Hut and Uber, Mazda will also be a partner for e-Palette supporting our electrification plans. We want to thank each of these companies for joining us on a new mobility journey."

The company is also teaming up with the car company Mazda who will be a partner in the e-Palette alliance.

Toyoda is keen to dispel any lingering doubts about whether the furture of cars is electric: "Today Toyota offers 37 electrified vehicle models in over 90 countries. By the early 2020s, we'll have more than ten battery electric vehicles available worldwide."

Toyoda revealed he'd learned to drive at the mature age of 51 so that he could understand car design better.

Joking with his audience, he quipped electrification was the only topic of interest around the world apart from the wedding of Prince Harry this year.

He says: "Now I realise that battery electric, or all electric vehicles are what everybody's talking about these days, that and Prince Harry's engagement (audience laughs), but what's not often mentioned today is that less than one per cent of all vehicles sold in the US are battery electric, so there's "

This last comment from a company which has spearheaded the use of electric vehicles for everyday use, is an important prod to the US market.

At the end of the presentation, it was time for a selfie:"Now before I go, I don't often get to hang out with a group such as yourselves. So I'm wondering if it will be okay taking a selfie with you, is that okay? "

The audience at CES clearly approves.

Toyota plans to conduct feasibility testing of the e-Palette Concept in various regions, including the US in the early 2020s.

It also hopes to be the mobility solution of choice at the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.

CES, Las Vegas, US - 8 January 2017

1. Various of the new Toyota e-Palette

2. Wide zoom out of the live Toyota show at CES showing screen animations of how the e-Palette will be used

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Akio Toyoda, President, Toyota Motor Corporation

"We want the car to be a seamless extension of your phone and computers, a kind of personal assistant on wheels able to anticipate your needs through predictive artificial intelligence. Our new mobility service platform is also the engine behind our car sharing test market in Hawaii and San Francisco. In the future much of mobility on demand, or mobility as a service will be powered by autonomy, which in turn is supported by vehicle electrification. Today, I am pleased to announce that some of the initial members of our e-Palette alliance includes Amazon, DiDi, Pizza Hut and Uber, Mazda will also be a partner for e-Palette supporting our electrification plans. We want to thank each of these companies for joining us on a new mobility journey."

4. Wide of screens at live Toyota show demonstrating how e-Palette will act as a mobile shop and showroom

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Akio Toyoda, President, Toyota Motor Corporation

"Today Toyota offers 37 electrified vehicle models in over 90 countries. By the early 2020s, we'll have more than ten battery electric vehicles available worldwide."

6. Various of screens at live showing animations demonstrating how our transport can become our workspace, retail space and creating on demand cities

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Akio Toyoda, President, Toyota Motor Corporation

"Now I realise that battery electric, or all electric vehicles are what everybody's talking about these days, that and Prince Harry's engagement (audience laughs), but what's not often mentioned is that today is that less than one per cent of all vehicles sold in the US are battery electric."

8. Wide of screens at Toyota's live showing how easily adaptable the e-Palette is

9. UPSOUND: (English) Akio Toyoda, President, Toyota Motor Corporation ++Zoom out of Toyoda as he begins to take selfies of himself and the audience++

"Now before I go, I don't often get to hang out with a group such as yourselves. So I'm wondering if it will be okay taking a selfie with you (laughter) is that okay? (applause)."

10. Zoom out of the Toyota team at the end of the show

LEADIN

The 87th edition of the Geneva Motor Show it about to open - and as always the focus is on luxury.

But this year, analysts say a range of new SUVs, super performance cars and new technology are also set to attract attention.

STORYLINE

Some of the hottest luxury cars on the market are in poll position for the Geneva Motor Show.

Car makers such as Bentley, Porsche, Lamborghini and Ferrari are all set to show off their latest creations to more than 700,000 expected visitors.

The 87th edition of the Geneva Motor Show opens to the public on Wednesday - and as ever, the focus is on sky high prices and ultra performance.

"Geneva is definitely about higher-end cars. So we will see a lot of super cars make their debuts here. Cars in the 200-300 thousand dollar price range. Cars with hundreds and hundreds of horse power. High speed. Exotic materials. A lot of performance. It is really a lot of what Geneva is about. You see some of those beautiful cars here on display," says Tim Stevens, presenter of the Roadshow on CNET.

"But we will be seeing some more attainable cars too. We are seeing some new SUVs being displayed here as well, some new technologies as well that may make cars more efficient and more economical in the future. So it will be a nice blend of technologies we'll see here at the show this year."

In total 900 models will be shown by 180 exhibitors, including 148 world and European premiers, according to organisers.

On Monday and Tuesday around 10,000 representatives from the worldwide press will attend before the show opens to the public on Wednesday.

The focus will be on the new releases, says Matt DeLorenzo, managing editor for the auto analyst organisation Kelley Blue Book.

"Well, two things to look at at the Geneva Motor Show this year are the appearance of high-end specialty built cars. Like the Ferrari 812 Superfast. This is a show that normally appeals to high net worth individuals so you will see a lot of these very special high performance cars here. McLaren is going to have an all new car, replacing the 650 S. And Porsche is going to do an update of the 911 GT3, and they are also showing sort of a station wagon version of the Panamera which is all new for them."

Overshadowing the show on Monday is the news that General Motors is selling Opel to the French Peugeot group PSA.

It will make PSA the second largest European car maker after Volkswagen.

"It is a pretty major development for General Motors, you know, as they try to strive towards more profitability. Those brands have always been money losers for them effectively. They haven't really been able to capitalise on the European market. So ultimately it gives Peugeot a big boost in the European market," says Stevens.

"I think right now, in the short term it is a lot of cash for GM which is great. And kind of losing some of the brands that have been losing them money. But the implication for Peugeot, that remains to be seen. But definitely it's a huge development right now and with all the changes going on in the geo-political nature, exactly what that's going to shake out to be, a little too early to tell. We will see."

Another issue that continues to be on the minds of those in the automobile industry is the emissions scandal that has engulfed Volkswagen in controversy since September 2015.

But DeLorenzo says the so-called "diesel-gate" saga is attracting less attention than at previous shows.

"The Volkswagen scandal seems to be fading from the picture. And the fact that they are outselling Toyota means that the public still has an interest in buying their products. Their non-diesel products. So if they can keep that momentum going with cars like the Arteon, I think they are going to be in a much better shape than what people thought they would be a year ago," he says.

But all other things aside, the Geneva Motor Show is the time for luxury to shine.

There have been some recent concerns in the industry about a possible slowdown global luxury car market, with some analysts pointing to slowing sales in Asia and particularly China as a reason to worry.

But according to Stevens, the luxury car market is still strong, at least for the time being.

"We are still seeing a lot of success in the luxury car market. The market definitely seems to be kind of peaking out, maybe beginning a decline. So that may be changing in the near future. But for now companies like Mercedes Benz are still seeing record sales," he says.

"Sales are still increasing, and markets are still very very strong for them. So we are seeing more and more luxurious models. In fact we will see a very very luxurious large SUV from Mercedes Benz displayed here, the Landaulet. A very large version of their Gelenvagen. A big luxurious car. We are seeing that here so we will be seeing more luxurious cars here than we have in the past. And again the market is looking strong for now but there is definitely indications that it might be changing very near."

The Geneva Motor Show opens to the public on 9 March and runs through March 19.

Geneva - 6 March 2017

1. Various of car at Pagani booth at the Geneva Motor Show

2. Wide of MTM showing Bentley cars

3. Tilt up of car

4. Exterior of Palexpo in Geneva where the motor show is taking place

5. Various of signs for motor show

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Tim Stevens, presenter of the Roadshow on CNET:

"Well, Geneva is definitely about higher-end cars. So we will see a lot of super cars make their debuts here. Cars in the 200-300 thousand dollar price range. Cars with hundreds and hundreds of horse power. High speed. Exotic materials. A lot of performance. It is really a lot of what Geneva is about. You see some of those beautiful cars here on display. But we will be seeing some more attainable cars too. We are seeing some new SUVs being displayed here as well, some new technologies as well that may make cars more efficient and more economical in the future. So it will be a nice blend of technologies we'll see here at the show this year."

7. Wide tilt of Zenvo car

8 . Tilt up of car

9. Pan of David Brown Automotive booth

10. Various of Sbarro booth

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Matt DeLorenzo, Managing editor for Kelley Blue Book auto analyst organisation:

"Well, two things to look at at the Geneva Motor Show this year are the appearance of high-end specialty built cars. Like the Ferrari 812 Superfast. This is a show that normally appeals to high net worth individuals so you will see a lot of these very special high performance cars here. McLaren is going to have an all new car, replacing the 650 S. And Porsche is going to do an update of the 911 GT3, and they are also showing sort of a station wagon version of the Panamera which is all new for them."

12. Various of Opel stand with cars covered before opening

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Tim Stevens, presenter of the Roadshow on CNET:

"General motors have just confirmed that they are selling their European brands to PSA, to Peugeot group. It is a pretty major development for General Motors, you know, as they try to strive towards more profitability. Those brands have always been money losers for them effectively. They haven't really been able to capitalise on the European market. So ultimately it gives Peugeot a big boost in the European market. A lot of new brands, a lot of new cars they can build upon. And a lot of new technologies as well. So it will be an interesting development to so how that works. I think right now, in the short term it is a lot of cash for GM which is great. And kind of losing some of the brands that have been losing them money. But the implication for Peugeot, that remains to be seen. But definitely it's a huge development right now and with all the changes going on in the geo-political nature, exactly what that's going to shake out to be, a little too early to tell. We will see."

14. Various exteriors of show venue

15. SOUNDBITE: (English) Matt DeLorenzo, Managing editor for Kelley Blue Book auto analyst organisation:

"The Volkswagen scandal seems to be fading from the picture. And the fact that they are outselling Toyota means that the public still has an interest in buying their products. Their non-diesel products. So if they can keep that momentum going with cars like the Arteon, I think they are going to be in a much better shape than what people thought they would be a year ago."

16. Various of Noble booth at the show

17. SOUNDBITE: (English) Tim Stevens, presenter of the Roadshow on CNET:

"We are still seeing a lot of success in the luxury car market. The market definitely seems to be kind of peaking out, maybe beginning a decline. So that may be changing in the near future. But for now companies like Mercedes Benz are still seeing record sales. Sales are still increasing, and markets are still very very strong for them. So we are seeing more and more luxurious models. In fact we will see a very very luxurious large SUV from Mercedes Benz displayed here, the Landaulet. A very large version of their Gelenvagen. A big luxurious car. We are seeing that here so we will be seeing more luxurious cars here than we have in the past. And again the market is looking strong for now but there is definitely indications that it might be changing very near."

18. Geneva Motor Show sign

LEADIN

The 87th edition of the Geneva Motor Show it about to open - and as always the focus is on luxury.

But this year, analysts say a range of new SUVs, super performance cars and new technology are also set to attract attention.

STORYLINE

Some of the hottest luxury cars on the market are in poll position for the Geneva Motor Show.

Car makers such as Bentley, Porsche, Lamborghini and Ferrari are all set to show off their latest creations to more than 700,000 expected visitors.

The 87th edition of the Geneva Motor Show opens to the public on Wednesday - and as ever, the focus is on sky high prices and ultra performance.

"Geneva is definitely about higher-end cars. So we will see a lot of super cars make their debuts here. Cars in the 200-300 thousand dollar price range. Cars with hundreds and hundreds of horse power. High speed. Exotic materials. A lot of performance. It is really a lot of what Geneva is about. You see some of those beautiful cars here on display," says Tim Stevens, presenter of the Roadshow on CNET.

"But we will be seeing some more attainable cars too. We are seeing some new SUVs being displayed here as well, some new technologies as well that may make cars more efficient and more economical in the future. So it will be a nice blend of technologies we'll see here at the show this year."

In total 900 models will be shown by 180 exhibitors, including 148 world and European premiers, according to organisers.

On Monday and Tuesday around 10,000 representatives from the worldwide press will attend before the show opens to the public on Wednesday.

The focus will be on the new releases, says Matt DeLorenzo, managing editor for the auto analyst organisation Kelley Blue Book.

"Well, two things to look at at the Geneva Motor Show this year are the appearance of high-end specialty built cars. Like the Ferrari 812 Superfast. This is a show that normally appeals to high net worth individuals so you will see a lot of these very special high performance cars here. McLaren is going to have an all new car, replacing the 650 S. And Porsche is going to do an update of the 911 GT3, and they are also showing sort of a station wagon version of the Panamera which is all new for them."

Overshadowing the show on Monday is the news that General Motors is selling Opel to the French Peugeot group PSA.

It will make PSA the second largest European car maker after Volkswagen.

"It is a pretty major development for General Motors, you know, as they try to strive towards more profitability. Those brands have always been money losers for them effectively. They haven't really been able to capitalise on the European market. So ultimately it gives Peugeot a big boost in the European market," says Stevens.

"I think right now, in the short term it is a lot of cash for GM which is great. And kind of losing some of the brands that have been losing them money. But the implication for Peugeot, that remains to be seen. But definitely it's a huge development right now and with all the changes going on in the geo-political nature, exactly what that's going to shake out to be, a little too early to tell. We will see."

Another issue that continues to be on the minds of those in the automobile industry is the emissions scandal that has engulfed Volkswagen in controversy since September 2015.

But DeLorenzo says the so-called "diesel-gate" saga is attracting less attention than at previous shows.

"The Volkswagen scandal seems to be fading from the picture. And the fact that they are outselling Toyota means that the public still has an interest in buying their products. Their non-diesel products. So if they can keep that momentum going with cars like the Arteon, I think they are going to be in a much better shape than what people thought they would be a year ago," he says.

But all other things aside, the Geneva Motor Show is the time for luxury to shine.

There have been some recent concerns in the industry about a possible slowdown global luxury car market, with some analysts pointing to slowing sales in Asia and particularly China as a reason to worry.

But according to Stevens, the luxury car market is still strong, at least for the time being.

"We are still seeing a lot of success in the luxury car market. The market definitely seems to be kind of peaking out, maybe beginning a decline. So that may be changing in the near future. But for now companies like Mercedes Benz are still seeing record sales," he says.

"Sales are still increasing, and markets are still very very strong for them. So we are seeing more and more luxurious models. In fact we will see a very very luxurious large SUV from Mercedes Benz displayed here, the Landaulet. A very large version of their Gelenvagen. A big luxurious car. We are seeing that here so we will be seeing more luxurious cars here than we have in the past. And again the market is looking strong for now but there is definitely indications that it might be changing very near."

The Geneva Motor Show opens to the public on 9 March and runs through March 19.

Geneva - 6 March 2017

1. Various of car at Pagani booth at the Geneva Motor Show

2. Wide of MTM showing Bentley cars

3. Tilt up of car

4. Exterior of Palexpo in Geneva where the motor show is taking place

5. Various of signs for motor show

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Tim Stevens, presenter of the Roadshow on CNET:

"Well, Geneva is definitely about higher-end cars. So we will see a lot of super cars make their debuts here. Cars in the 200-300 thousand dollar price range. Cars with hundreds and hundreds of horse power. High speed. Exotic materials. A lot of performance. It is really a lot of what Geneva is about. You see some of those beautiful cars here on display. But we will be seeing some more attainable cars too. We are seeing some new SUVs being displayed here as well, some new technologies as well that may make cars more efficient and more economical in the future. So it will be a nice blend of technologies we'll see here at the show this year."

7. Wide tilt of Zenvo car

8 . Tilt up of car

9. Pan of David Brown Automotive booth

10. Various of Sbarro booth

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Matt DeLorenzo, Managing editor for Kelley Blue Book auto analyst organisation:

"Well, two things to look at at the Geneva Motor Show this year are the appearance of high-end specialty built cars. Like the Ferrari 812 Superfast. This is a show that normally appeals to high net worth individuals so you will see a lot of these very special high performance cars here. McLaren is going to have an all new car, replacing the 650 S. And Porsche is going to do an update of the 911 GT3, and they are also showing sort of a station wagon version of the Panamera which is all new for them."

12. Various of Opel stand with cars covered before opening

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Tim Stevens, presenter of the Roadshow on CNET:

"General motors have just confirmed that they are selling their European brands to PSA, to Peugeot group. It is a pretty major development for General Motors, you know, as they try to strive towards more profitability. Those brands have always been money losers for them effectively. They haven't really been able to capitalise on the European market. So ultimately it gives Peugeot a big boost in the European market. A lot of new brands, a lot of new cars they can build upon. And a lot of new technologies as well. So it will be an interesting development to so how that works. I think right now, in the short term it is a lot of cash for GM which is great. And kind of losing some of the brands that have been losing them money. But the implication for Peugeot, that remains to be seen. But definitely it's a huge development right now and with all the changes going on in the geo-political nature, exactly what that's going to shake out to be, a little too early to tell. We will see."

14. Various exteriors of show venue

15. SOUNDBITE: (English) Matt DeLorenzo, Managing editor for Kelley Blue Book auto analyst organisation:

"The Volkswagen scandal seems to be fading from the picture. And the fact that they are outselling Toyota means that the public still has an interest in buying their products. Their non-diesel products. So if they can keep that momentum going with cars like the Arteon, I think they are going to be in a much better shape than what people thought they would be a year ago."

16. Various of Noble booth at the show

17. SOUNDBITE: (English) Tim Stevens, presenter of the Roadshow on CNET:

"We are still seeing a lot of success in the luxury car market. The market definitely seems to be kind of peaking out, maybe beginning a decline. So that may be changing in the near future. But for now companies like Mercedes Benz are still seeing record sales. Sales are still increasing, and markets are still very very strong for them. So we are seeing more and more luxurious models. In fact we will see a very very luxurious large SUV from Mercedes Benz displayed here, the Landaulet. A very large version of their Gelenvagen. A big luxurious car. We are seeing that here so we will be seeing more luxurious cars here than we have in the past. And again the market is looking strong for now but there is definitely indications that it might be changing very near."

18. Geneva Motor Show sign

US AUTO SHOW PREVIEW

SHOTLIST:

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

LENGTH: 03:54

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARCHIVE: Detroit, Michigan, US - 13 January 2014

1. Wide of the auto show floor

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARCHIVE: Detroit, Michigan, US - 14 January 2014

2. Various of the 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe being driven into place during its debut at the auto show

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Troy, Michigan, US – 1 September 2022

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeff Schuster, LMC Automotive:

"Getting vehicles prepared for the event and also then sharing the limelight with other manufacturers, I think, might be a thing of the past."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARCHIVE: Detroit, Michigan, US - 14 January 2014

4. Various of the 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe spinning in place during its unveiling event

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARCHIVE: Detroit, Michigan, US - 13 January 2014

5. Various of auto show workers polishing the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

6. Photographers swarm the Kia GT4 Stinger after its auto show unveiling

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Troy, Michigan, US – 1 September 2022

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeff Schuster, LMC Automotive:

"Back then, you had thousands of journalists from all over the world. You had, in some cases, 60 to 70 launches of vehicles, a lot of those being world premieres. And, again, not just from North American brands, but from European and Asian brands. You had executives coming in from all over the world."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Detroit, Michigan, US – 7 September 2022

8. Workers prepare the floor of the Huntington Place convention center for the auto show

9. Various of a Chevrolet sign seen above a stack of crates on what will become the auto show floor

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Karl Zimmermann, Detroit Auto Dealers Association:

"It continues to evolve. Our industry is very competitive. Do I think it's going to be the same as it was before? No, it's a much different format. And we're using indoors, we're using outdoors, we've changed the time of year, we've changed the activations."

11. Close of Toyota crate

12. Various of the auto show floor construction efforts, including upcoming Jeep stand

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Karl Zimmermann, Detroit Auto Dealers Association:

"The auto show business industry has changed. Geneva went broke a couple of years ago. They just canceled the Geneva show. So, it's a very competitive industry."

14. A GMC sign hangs wrapped in protective material

15. Various of workers constructing a ramp

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Karl Zimmermann, Detroit Auto Dealers Association:

"There has been a shift over the past 10 years. They've led a lot of manufacturers to focus more regionally. And focus more digitally."

17. Boxes sit near the Chrysler area

18. Various of a large tractor-trailer entering the auto show floor

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Troy, Michigan, US – 1 September 2022

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeff Schuster, LMC Automotive:

"And, I think, as we look at where this industry is going and that transition, I think, the auto show can be part of that and show us that direction - just in a different way than it did in the past."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARCHIVE: Detroit, Michigan, US - 14 January 2014

20. A Stinger spins on stage

LEADIN:

The Detroit Auto Show is returning for the first time since COVID-19.

Industry experts are expecting fewer car model unveils and reduced attendance, a sign that the industry is moving away from in-person fairs in the post-pandemic era.

STORYLINE:

The Detroit Auto Show, once one of the most important gatherings of the world's automotive industry, is back this week after a three year hiatus.

The 2022 show is expected to have fewer new model debuts and journalists, less-glitzy displays and lower attendance than in past years.

"Getting vehicles prepared for the event and also then sharing the limelight with other manufacturers, I think, might be a thing of the past," says Jeff Schuster, an analyst at LMC Automotive.

The coronavirus pandemic is partly to blame, but there are larger forces at play.

"Back then, you had thousands of journalists from all over the world. You had, in some cases, 60 to 70 launches of vehicles, a lot of those being world premieres. And, again, not just from North American brands, but from European and Asian brands. You had executives coming in from all over the world," says Schuster.

Carmakers have determined that new models can make a bigger splash when unveiled to a digital audience on a day when they don't have to share the publicity.

Plus, making a debut at an auto show is expensive.

"It continues to evolve. Our industry is very competitive," said Karl Zimmermann, vice president of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, which hosts the show.

"Do I think it's going to be the same as it was before? No, it's a much different format."

This year's show is the first since 2019, when the North American International Auto Show was held in its traditional January time slot.

The show hasn't returned to Detroit since, and organizers have decided to move it from the frigid Michigan wintertime to temperate September so automakers can host outdoor displays and activities.

"As we look at where this industry is going and that transition, I think the auto show can be part of that and show us that direction - just in a different way than it did in the past," says Schuster.

The show's media day is set for Wednesday, and the public show will run from Saturday through September 25.

AP video shot by: Mike Householder

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Auto shows may be waning in importance as companies find other ways to introduce new products, but the New York International Auto Show still has a healthy list of new vehicle debuts.

In keeping with the dramatic shift from cars to sport utilities, most of the new models are SUVs.

Here are some of the new vehicles being rolled out on the show's press days Wednesday and Thursday. It's open to the public from April 19-28:

LINCOLN CORSAIR

The luxury version of the Ford Escape small SUV makes its debut at the New York show.

Ford says the Lincoln Corsair looks like its larger siblings, the Navigator and Aviator, setting it apart as a luxury vehicle in the fastest-growing part of the U.S. market.

It comes with two turbocharged engine choices: the base 2-liter, 250-horsepower motor or a 2.3-liter engine with 280 horses. Each is paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The Corsair has all-wheel-drive is available with both engines. A plug-in gas-electric hybrid will be offered later.

Also standard are automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind spot warnings and lane-keeping. Additional safety features, including evasive steer assist, which helps drivers avoid a crash, also are available.

To give the Corsair more of a luxury feel, electronic alerts are replaced chimes recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. They warn drivers things like an open fuel-filling door or an unbuckled seat belt.

The Corsair will be available in the fall. Prices were not announced.

HYUNDAI VENUE

The Korean automaker adds a seventh SUV to its lineup, this one at the low end of the size and price spectrum. The Venue, due out in the fourth quarter, gives the brand an entry-level utility vehicle to compete with Honda's subcompact HR-V, Ford's EcoSport and others.

The 2020 Venue comes with a 121-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a variable transmission that is expected to get up to 33 mpg in combined city and highway driving. Although it's at the bottom end of the lineup, the Venue has lots of goodies available, including an 8-inch dashboard display that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to integrate smart phones into the SUV. It also has advanced safety technology available, including standard automatic emergency braking lane-keeping assist. It also has available a driver attention warning system that monitors drivers to detect fatigue or careless driving.

The Venue, which will resemble Hyundai's larger SUVs, will be available in the fourth quarter of this year. The price wasn't released.

SUBARU OUTBACK

With the possible exception of Jeep, no other automaker has been able to match the outdoorsy all-wheel-drive appeal of Subaru.

The Japanese brand, which has seen sales rise 60 percent in the past five years, is now unveiling a new version of the Outback wagon, its top-selling vehicle.

The 2020 version shown in New York doesn't look much different than the current model. It's a little curvier with a rugged-looking front grille. But Subaru says it gets a much stiffer frame, an optional 260-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine and a reworked standard 2.5-liter motor that puts out 182 horsepower — seven more than the current version. All are mated to eight-speed continuously variable transmissions.

The Outback is built on Subaru's new global underpinnings, with stronger crash protection, better handling and a quieter ride, the company says. Even the base model gets Subaru's suite of driver assist technology standard, including adaptive cruise control, lane centering and automatic emergency braking. An anti-distraction system uses a camera to spot signs of driver fatigue or distraction and sets off audio and visual warnings.

Subaru estimates the 2.5-liter Outback will get 33 mpg on the highway, while the 2.4-liter version will get 30 mpg. Price wasn't announced. The new Outback will reach showrooms in the fall.

CADILLAC CT5

Even though luxury buyers are shifting rapidly to SUVs, the General Motors luxury brand wanted to stay in the sedan market but do it with fewer models. So it's unveiling the CT5, one of two new cars in addition to the CT6 full-size sedan that Cadillac will introduce to replace the discontinued ATS compact, CTS midsize and XTS full-size sedans.

With the CT5, Caddy takes another shot at the compact luxury market where the ATS fizzled against the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C Class and others.

The fastback CT5, which looks like a shrunken version of the larger CT6, will be the second Caddy to get Super Cruise, General Motors' hands-free driver-assist system that can handle most tasks on a freeway. The system comes in calendar year 2020.

The CT5 gets two engine choices: a 237-horsepower 2-liter four-cylinder or a turbocharged 3-liter V6 with 335 horsepower. All versions get 10-speed automatic transmissions. Safety features like automatic emergency braking and front pedestrian braking are standard. All-wheel-drive is available.

The new Caddy will be available in the fall. Price and fuel economy were not announced.

1. Mercedes unveils 2020 Mercedes EQC at the 2019 New York International Auto Show

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Jessica Caldwell, Executive Director of Industry Analysis at Edmunds.com:

"We're seeing auto shows fall out of favor with a lot of automakers. It is seen kind of as old school pulling the sheet off as the car and a lot of automakers now are moving towards launches on social ."

3. Various of Lincoln Corsair

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Jessica Caldwell, Executive Director of Industry Analysis at Edmunds.com:

"SUVs continue to dominate the headlines here. We saw new SUVs from Lincoln with the Corsair, Toyota Highlander, Mercedes has got a host of new SUVs. And what we're seeing is different different configurations - more coupe SUVs - just more to the lineups because that's what Americans are gravitating more now towards. And if we look at vehicle sales of what people are buying SUVs continue to grow and grow while cars continue to shrink."

5. Various of 2020 Hyundai Venue CUV (Compact SUV)

6. Various of 2020 Subaru Outback

7. Various of 2020 Mercedes GLC 300 Coupe

8. Various of 2020 Mercedes EQC

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Jessica Caldwell, Executive Director of Industry Analysis at Edmunds.com:

"We're seeing technology be a real driver in car sales and in terms of what consumers want. Because I think automakers are having a hard time differentiating themselves on style and quality because that's hit the max. So what can they do in the interior that is going to turn the heads of consumers? We're seeing things like smart cue where your phone is literally hooked up to your car so you can use that. And a big trend that we're also seeing are larger screens now up to over 12 inches which is amazing especially when you think of the cars that we drove maybe 10 years ago when a screen wasn't even an option. And we are also seeing a lot of driver assist so this is the road to autonomy which is really exciting. So things that help you keep in your lane help, systems that help you avoid collisions. It's almost as if the car is doing the driving for you. We're not there yet but you're seeing a lot of these features are leading us in that direction."

10. Various of Cadillac CT5

11. 2020 Mercedes GLC 300 Coupe on turntable

Auto shows may be waning in importance as companies find other ways to introduce new products, but the New York International Auto Show still has a healthy list of new vehicle debuts.

In keeping with the dramatic shift from cars to sport utilities, most of the new models are SUVs.

Here are some of the new vehicles being rolled out on the show's press days Wednesday and Thursday. It's open to the public from April 19-28:

LINCOLN CORSAIR

The luxury version of the Ford Escape small SUV makes its debut at the New York show.

Ford says the Lincoln Corsair looks like its larger siblings, the Navigator and Aviator, setting it apart as a luxury vehicle in the fastest-growing part of the U.S. market.

It comes with two turbocharged engine choices: the base 2-liter, 250-horsepower motor or a 2.3-liter engine with 280 horses. Each is paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The Corsair has all-wheel-drive is available with both engines. A plug-in gas-electric hybrid will be offered later.

Also standard are automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind spot warnings and lane-keeping. Additional safety features, including evasive steer assist, which helps drivers avoid a crash, also are available.

To give the Corsair more of a luxury feel, electronic alerts are replaced chimes recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. They warn drivers things like an open fuel-filling door or an unbuckled seat belt.

The Corsair will be available in the fall. Prices were not announced.

HYUNDAI VENUE

The Korean automaker adds a seventh SUV to its lineup, this one at the low end of the size and price spectrum. The Venue, due out in the fourth quarter, gives the brand an entry-level utility vehicle to compete with Honda's subcompact HR-V, Ford's EcoSport and others.

The 2020 Venue comes with a 121-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a variable transmission that is expected to get up to 33 mpg in combined city and highway driving. Although it's at the bottom end of the lineup, the Venue has lots of goodies available, including an 8-inch dashboard display that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to integrate smart phones into the SUV. It also has advanced safety technology available, including standard automatic emergency braking lane-keeping assist. It also has available a driver attention warning system that monitors drivers to detect fatigue or careless driving.

The Venue, which will resemble Hyundai's larger SUVs, will be available in the fourth quarter of this year. The price wasn't released.

SUBARU OUTBACK

With the possible exception of Jeep, no other automaker has been able to match the outdoorsy all-wheel-drive appeal of Subaru.

The Japanese brand, which has seen sales rise 60 percent in the past five years, is now unveiling a new version of the Outback wagon, its top-selling vehicle.

The 2020 version shown in New York doesn't look much different than the current model. It's a little curvier with a rugged-looking front grille. But Subaru says it gets a much stiffer frame, an optional 260-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine and a reworked standard 2.5-liter motor that puts out 182 horsepower — seven more than the current version. All are mated to eight-speed continuously variable transmissions.

The Outback is built on Subaru's new global underpinnings, with stronger crash protection, better handling and a quieter ride, the company says. Even the base model gets Subaru's suite of driver assist technology standard, including adaptive cruise control, lane centering and automatic emergency braking. An anti-distraction system uses a camera to spot signs of driver fatigue or distraction and sets off audio and visual warnings.

Subaru estimates the 2.5-liter Outback will get 33 mpg on the highway, while the 2.4-liter version will get 30 mpg. Price wasn't announced. The new Outback will reach showrooms in the fall.

CADILLAC CT5

Even though luxury buyers are shifting rapidly to SUVs, the General Motors luxury brand wanted to stay in the sedan market but do it with fewer models. So it's unveiling the CT5, one of two new cars in addition to the CT6 full-size sedan that Cadillac will introduce to replace the discontinued ATS compact, CTS midsize and XTS full-size sedans.

With the CT5, Caddy takes another shot at the compact luxury market where the ATS fizzled against the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C Class and others.

The fastback CT5, which looks like a shrunken version of the larger CT6, will be the second Caddy to get Super Cruise, General Motors' hands-free driver-assist system that can handle most tasks on a freeway. The system comes in calendar year 2020.

The CT5 gets two engine choices: a 237-horsepower 2-liter four-cylinder or a turbocharged 3-liter V6 with 335 horsepower. All versions get 10-speed automatic transmissions. Safety features like automatic emergency braking and front pedestrian braking are standard. All-wheel-drive is available.

The new Caddy will be available in the fall. Price and fuel economy were not announced.

1. Mercedes unveils 2020 Mercedes EQC at the 2019 New York International Auto Show

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Jessica Caldwell, Executive Director of Industry Analysis at Edmunds.com:

"We're seeing auto shows fall out of favor with a lot of automakers. It is seen kind of as old-school pulling the sheet off as the car and a lot of automakers now are moving towards launches on social media or big events like fashion shows that are integrated with the cars. A way to capture not only the media's attention but also the average consumer as well."

3. Wide of 2020 Subaru Outback

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Jessica Caldwell, Executive Director of Industry Analysis at Edmunds.com:

"SUVs continue to dominate the headlines here. We saw new SUVs from Lincoln with the Corsair, Toyota Highlander, Mercedes has got a host of new SUVs. And what we're seeing is different different configurations - more coupe SUVs - just more to the lineups because that's what Americans are gravitating more now towards. And if we look at vehicle sales of what people are buying SUVs continue to grow and grow while cars continue to shrink."

5. Various of Mercedes GLC 300 Coupe

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Jessica Caldwell, Executive Director of Industry Analysis at Edmunds.com:

"We're seeing technology be a real driver in car sales and in terms of what consumers want. Because I think automakers are having a hard time differentiating themselves on style and quality because that's hit the max. So what can they do in the interior that is going to turn the heads of consumers? We're seeing things like smart key where your phone is literally hooked up to your car so you can use that. And a big trend that we're also seeing are larger screens now up to over 12 inches which is amazing, especially when you think of the cars that we drove maybe 10 years ago when a screen wasn't even an option. And we are also seeing a lot of driver assist so this is the road to autonomy which is really exciting. So things that help you keep in your lane help, systems that help you avoid collisions. It's almost as if the car is doing the driving for you. We're not there yet but you're seeing a lot of these features are leading us in that direction."

7. Various of Lincoln Corsair

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Jessica Caldwell, Executive Director of Industry Analysis at Edmunds.com:

"Every automaker, literally here at this auto show is planning for the autonomous vehicle in the next few years. So I think all of the driver assist features that we see are leading to that point. But right now it's an arms race in terms of: who's going to get there first? Who's going to have that market share? Because we've never had a technology when there's more questions than answers and I think that you know what automakers look to the future and mobility and these fleet sharing type executions there may not be room for everybody. So everybody wants to make sure that they're still in business come 2040."

9. Various of the Subaru Outback

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Jessica Caldwell, Executive Director of Industry Analysis at Edmunds.com:

"So in 2019 we are seeing auto sales drop off which is expected. We're expected to see autos auto sales cool off a bit part of it is because the high transaction prices that we're seeing that is caused by a move to larger vehicles and more contented vehicles but also interest rates. They are up over 6 percent if you look at the average for new vehicles which is the highest they've been in over a decade. So I think when you look at the price people are paying a lot of consumers are getting sticker shock and having to re-evaluate some of their purchase decisions."

11. Various of 2020 Mercedes EQC

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Paul Harmon, Products Manager, Mercedes Benz U.S.A.  

"So the focus on this user interface is just that. It is just so that it's easier to interact with the car. Cars have become so sophisticated. It just adds a level of simplicity to it. To just say 'hey Mercedes I'm cold.' You know instead of having to go through and figure out exactly how to turn things on and off you just ask her. You can ask her the score of the Yankee game and she'll she'll give it to you."

13. Various of Cadillac CT5

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Ken Kornas, Cadillac CT5 Product Manager  

"So a lot of exclusive in segment first features on the vehicle including Super Cruise which is the first truly hands-free driver assistance technology for the highway. And so, we roll this out on the CT6 to start. It's now going to be on the CT5 starting in 2020 calendar year and you'll see this rolling out on future Cadillacs as well. So it affords the opportunity for customers to be able to really remove their hands from the steering wheel while still in a very safe environment. It uses active safety technologies to keep the customer safe. It still requires them to be aware but in essence what it does it relieves the level of stress on especially a long commute."

16. Wide shot of Hyundai Venue CUV (Compact SUV)

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Evanoff, Senior Manager Product Planning Hyundai Motor America

"So we really recognize that that buyer is very tech savvy. So, standard is an eight inch display audio that features also standard Apple car play and Android Auto so that seamless interface with your phone. Obviously, Bluetooth is available, heated seats, just to make it as convenient as possible. But also safety is a big story. We've got standard forward collision avoidance assist. We've also got standard lane keep assist, as well as driver attention warning."

18. Various of Hyundai Venue