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A visitor's guide to the 78th Geneva International Motor Show.

Hall 1 is as good a place to start as any and the first big stand is Chevrolet. Those of us of more advanced years may remember Chevys of old with their huge fins and acres of chrome. More recently they were little more than re-badged Daewoos, General Motors having bought the South Korean concern a few short years ago. But Chevrolet, now the world's third largest car brand, is recouping some of its older identity with the LPG-powered HHR, a 1950s/Detroit-influenced station wagon. A new three-door version of its affordable Aveo (formerly called Kalos) is also on display and, manufactured in Warsaw, this is now Chevrolet's biggest-selling and most important model.

Alongside Hyundai is showing its new HED-5, six-seater iMode concept which is choc full of high tech entertainment and communications. The new Matrix mini MPV and the i10 city car (the Atos replacement) are worth a look here too.

Just beyond Hyundai is the Renault/Nissan-owned Infiniti brand which makes its European market debut at Geneva. Put simply, Infiniti is to Nissan what Lexus is to Toyota. With a 3.7-litre V6 engine producing over 310PS, the EX37 is billed as the world's most powerful compact crossover. The G37 is a four-door sports saloon which the company hopes will steal sales from the dominant German brands, while the G37 Coupé is aimed at a slightly younger buyer but has much same intention. Although the company chose not to have its new star model on display on the first show press day, the all-new FX50 has been "created as a fusion of sports car and SUV" and boasts a big, 390PS V8 plus an impressive list of high-tech features. Whether Infiniti will do for Renault/Nissan what Lexus does for Toyota remains to be seen.

Nearby is Saab which is staging the world premiere of what a future compact car from Saab could look like - the 200PS 9-X BioHybrid, and the first European showing of the 300PS 9-4X BioPower which signals the GM-owned firm's intention to enter the increasingly popular crossover segment.

Just across the way is Corvette where its lovely yellow Z06 should put a smile on your face, and just beyond is Detroit's oldest manufacturer Cadillac which is showing the new, wedge-shaped CTS Coupé concept. It is designed to accommodate a range of engines, including Cadillac's popular 3.6-litre Direct Injection V6 as well as a new 2.9 turbo-diesel and it should go on sale later this year.

Pagani has nothing new on offer thus far this year, but a tour of the show would be incomplete without a reminder of the exquisite detail engineering found on the stunning Zonda F supercar. Much the same could be said of the Bugatti Veyron next door, except that Bugatti has tied up with luxury designer brand Hermes to create the 'Fbg par Hermès' version. Available at the end of 2008, it's yours for just €1.55 million, plus taxes.

Continue your guided tour on www.salon-auto.ch and meet all the Highlights of the 2008 edition!

Monday March 10

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