SHOW MUST GO ON

As of 1st January 2007, there were about 700,000 means of transport registered in Azerbaijan, including more than 27,000 buses, about 97,000 lorries and about 550,000 cars. And the number of cars is constantly growing in our country. While in 2000 there were 55 means of transport per 1,000 people (including buses, lorries and cars, as well as trailers and motorbikes), by the beginning of 2007, this figure had risen to 8, an increase of more than 47.2 per cent. In the capital, where the number of vehicles has increased by 30 per cent over the last three years and has reached more than 230,000, there is one car per 10 people, whereas 10 years ago, this figure was one vehicle per 20 people. In other words, Azerbaijan is the most "automobilized" country in the CIS.

This rise is also due to the constant growth in Azerbaijan's per capita income, which increases the potential of the country's car market, causing rapid growth in the number of cars. At the same time, this market growth is linked to the consolidation and improvement in quality of the car manufacturing sectors of other countries. There are more and more expensive foreign, non-Russian cars on the streets of Baku. This means that Azerbaijani drivers are interested more than ever in new trends on the world car market - with its tougher competition and tougher environmental requirements for vehicles.

Manufacturers are, therefore, trying to move their operations to developing countries. For example, labour costs represent 5 per cent of the final price of a car in China and 6 per cent in Russia. In Europe this figure is 13 per cent, in the USA - 14 per cent and in Japan - 19 per cent. The production of cars in developing countries creates advantageous conditions and real incentives for further growth in the global car industry. India, China and Mexico are currently the main beneficiaries of this development.

Another key way for car manufacturers to stay ahead of the competition and enjoy success on the market is to constantly update the range of models. Thanks to successful work by the network of dealerships of the major car brands in Azerbaijan, you can see here the most expensive cars: Mercedes-Benz, BMWs, Lexus and Bentleys.

For Azerbaijani drivers interested in developments on the world car market, we should point to the main event in the car world - the Geneva International Motor Show, which will open on 6th March. For its range of innovations, this exhibition is streets ahead of other motor shows and the forthcoming show in Geneva will beat even Detroit for the number of world premieres. Until now, all manufacturers revealed their latest models at the US motor show, the leftovers going to the European motor show. In the middle of January, however, many manufacturers took their used models to the States (models that had already been shown). Some European companies, Citroen for example, ignored the show, organizing their premiere at a secondary motor show in Belgium.

Visitors to the Geneva motor show will be happy to see European models such as the new Mercedes SL-Class 2009. You can already find the official pictures of this car on the Internet.

Skoda will present the second generation of its Superb sedan, while Alfa Romeo will finally "give birth" to a baby to replace its 147 model. The fledgling "car of the year", the Fiat 500, will probably "have no roof".

Alfa Romeo will show one of the most beautiful cars in its history, and this model will probably be recognized as the most interesting novelty at the exhibition. It will be a roadster modelled on the 8C Competizione supercar. From a technical point of view, the open-top version will be almost the same as the coupe. It is planned to put the Alfa Romeo 8C Spider on sale in 2009. But if you are planning to order one, we advise you to hurry, because the Italians will make only 500.

BMW's main car at the Geneva motor show will be the pre-serial version of the hybrid X5. The most interesting thing is that the BMW X5 Vision Efficient Dynamics will have a diesel (rather than petrol) engine, supported by an electric engine. The fuel consumption of this off-roader will be just 6.5 litres of diesel. The BMW X5 will also have a special battery able to accumulate the energy generated while braking. This energy will then be used to support various electronic comfort systems: climate control, music, etc. Plus, there will be a solar battery on the roof, which will slightly reduce fuel consumption.

Audi will present a new estate car in Geneva - the Audi A4 Avant. As usual, the estate car's design will not be very different from that of the previous generation, but the A4 Avant looks very stylish - it is 123 mm longer than its predecessor.

Nor will Volkswagen disappoint its fans. It has come up with a new coupe called the Scirocco. This model will be based on the Golf with 120 to 200 horse-power engines. This model will probably go on sale in autumn.

Peugeot will present not only its 308 SW estate car, but also a 'supercharged' version of the 308 model. It will be called the 308 GT. It differs from the standard Peugeot 308 version in its aerodynamic bridge, interior design, tougher suspension and more powerful engine.

The serial version of the Volvo XC60 crossover will also be officially launched in Geneva. It will go on sale in summer and will be one step below the big XC90 off-roader. However, the Swedes say that the interior will be as comfortable as that of the big Volvo. The XC60 is planned to offer several choices of engine: petrol engines with capacities of 1.8, 2.5 and 3.2 and diesel engines with capacities of 1.8 and 2.3 litres. 

Ford will present a serial version of the Kuga crossover, based on the Ford Focus. The basic car will be front-wheel drive, but customers will also be able to order four-wheel drive vehicles with a Haldex clutch.

Ford will also present its Fiesta model made in the new Ford style. The new Fiesta will be on sale in autumn, and the car will be available in two versions - three and five-door hatchback. No sedan is expected for the European market. Sedans will be available only in China, South America and perhaps in the USA (a decision whether to place the small Fiesta on the North American market has yet to be made).

At the motor show, Toyota will present two very important cars aimed at the European market - a serial version of its iQ minicar, which will become the smallest four-seater car in Europe, and its Urban Cruiser. This is a small crossover which will be one step lower than the RAV4. The main rival for this model on the European market will be the Nissan Qashqai.

The long-awaited three-door version of the hatchback Aveo, from the new generation of Chevrolet, will also be presented in Geneva. Dealers will receive this car in the second half of the year.

Honda is not being left behind and is also going to launch its new generation Accord estate car. The new model is wider and lower than its predecessor, which makes it more sporty and muscular. The new Accord will be available with three types of engine: two petrol engines of 2 and 2.4 litres, with 156 and 200 horse power, and a two-litre diesel engine with 150 horse power and a maximum torsion torque of 350 Hm. It will go on sale in Europe in the middle of the year.

Many small companies which specialise in exclusive cars will also be represented in Geneva. One of these companies is Giorgetto Guigiaro's Italdesign, which is known for its Ferrari GG50, Maserati 5000, Aston Martin DB4, Alfa Canguro, etc. Giorgetto Guigiaro's Italdesign is planning to bring its concept car, created to mark the company's 40th anniversary, to the Geneva motor show. It has been created using the latest technology and alternative sources of energy.

The exotic will be there. Pininfarina and Maserati promise to display the futuristic concepts of their Sintesi and Chicane models respectively. Loremo will present an economical and inexpensive cabriolet, while Switzerland's Rinspeed will surprise everyone with their new sQuba. The very specific feature of this wonderful roadster is that it can travel under water! Moreover, on the road the car is capable of moving without a driver. The Rinspeed SQuba is powered by an electrical engine (thus the car does not need an exhaust - instead it has screw propellers). It has a 73 horse power engine. At first sight, this does not seem much, but it is enough for a light two-seater car. It can go quite quickly on asphalt, while on water it will reach 6 km/h. Engineers have also recognised that the driver and his passenger could drown under water (the sQuba is an open-top roadster). For this reason, the car has two aqualungs mounted on the seats.

As we can see, the global car industry is moving forward, presenting new cars to consumers. In turn, current and future drivers make further demands on the manufacturers of the "iron horses". Modern standards require not just four-wheel drive, solid construction, comfortable interior and noise insulation, but also safety systems. In addition, consumers have long hinted that they want eco-friendly fuel and, judging by the new cars presented at the major motor shows, these requests will not go unanswered…