Preview of the Geneva International Motor Show

General view over the 79th Geneva International Motor Show in Switzerland Photograph: Marijan Murat/EPA

An Alpha Romeo 159 Sportwagen Photograph: Miguel Villagran/Getty Images

A Spyker CS 8 of Dutch carmaker Spyker Cars Photograph: Arnd Wiegmann/Reuters

The new Mini John Cooper Works is unveiled during a presentation by Mini at the show Photograph: Anja Niedringhaus/AP

A long time exposure picture shows the Tata Nano Photograph: Valentin Flauraud/Reuters

Dieter Zetsche, CEO of German car manufacturer Daimler AG, attends a press conference Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

An electrical power plug is pictured at the Electric Drive prototype of German carmaker Smart Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

The Geneva show opened against a background of rescues for US manufacturers General Motors and Chrysler, state aid for manufacturers in France and questions over the futures of Opel and Saab in Europe Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images

The new Mazda 3 MPS Photograph: Valentin Flauraud/Reuters

The new Volvo S60 Concept car Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

The new Renault Scenic Photograph: Valentin Flauraud/Reuters

Opel's new electric-powered Ampera Photograph: Uli Deck/EPA

The Ferrari F430 Spider Photograph: Nicholas Ratzenboeck/AFP/Getty Images

The new Nissan Qazana Photograph: Miguel Villagran/Getty Images

Interior of the Nissan concept car, Qazana Photograph: Nissan/PA

Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn poses during the presentation of Volkswagen's new Polo Photograph: Uli Deck/EPA

Hostesses of the Skoda booth pose next to the new Skoda Yeti Photograph: Uli Deck/EPA

Journalists visit showcases during the first media day at the Palexpo in Geneva Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuters