Future of motoring starts now

The Frankfurt International Motor Show is like the World Cup (soccer or rugby) to the motor industry and the motorist.

It is the world's biggest showcase of what's happening and about to happen and usually has a profound impact on the future of the industry.

Like the World Cups, the most powerful manufacturers and countries, had the most impressive players (the new cars) on display.

It was also like schoolboys bragging who's dad has the biggest and best car.

In this case, the German manufacturers, in my opinion, put the other countries to shame with their massive investments in stands, exhibitions and new vehicles.

The biggest - and best - was clearly Volkswagen which had taken up a whole hall, with Audi running a close second with a display which included its own track inside a hall where the latest cars were buzzing around.

Mercedes-Benz and BMW also had very impressive stands which cost millions of Euros to construct.

All of which will be pulled down after the show, stored in containers and ready to be adapted and rebuilt for the next show.

Built like Lego buildings, it's a case of click and construct to set up at the next show, sometimes in a smaller, less expensive version.

South Africans can expect to see some of the vehicles fresh from Frankfurt, and smaller stands at next month's Johannesburg International Motor Show. There were halls dedicated to accessories only and where those interested in pimping their ride, could drool over the latest "must have" gadgets and gizmos!

And on the fringes of the car displays were the banks and finance houses eager to sign up deals from entry level to exotic cars costing millions of bucks.

What was abundantly clear was just about every major manufacturer had viable electric vehicles on display, some of which are ready for showrooms across the globe. This is the way a significant section of the motor industry is heading.

The electric vehicle tsunami at the show must finally sound the death knell for South Africa's Optimal Energy Joule vehicle, which appears to have run out of power and support.

Nothing significant has been heard from Optimal Energy for months and the firm has missed many of its own self-imposed deadlines for production and the erection of a plant or a site where to build it.

Optimal Energy has clearly missed the boat which is a pity! The Joule had plenty going for it and, in my opinion, only a miracle will save it from extinction.

As for what is headed South Africa's way in the form of electric vehicles it's a bit too early to say yet, but Nissan already has the Leaf in production and Volkswagen say the electric up! is scheduled to go into production in 2013.

Watch this space!