Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Glamorous women draped themselves over gleaming vehicles and technicians plugged in electric cars as the world's auto industry met in Paris to showcase dozens of new models and pray the crisis is behind it.
The worst global slump since the 1930s savaged the industry and it is now setting its sights on the Middle East, China and India to compensate for stagnating sales and fierce competition in Europe.
Carmakers are hoping places like China, India, Brazil and the Gulf States will snap up the models displayed at the show that opened to the public on Saturday and runs until October 17.
High glamour comes in the form of sports cars from Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini, while Renault and Citroen add a touch of fashion by showcasing cars they built in partnership with fashion brands Lacoste and Miss Sixty.
Kia's three-seater electric 'Pop' concept car, featuring 'butterfly-wing' doors that open both upwards and forwards, was creating a buzz at the show, which is held every two years.
Mercedes unveiled its new CLS which mixes coupe styling with the four doors of a saloon.
Ford showed off its new Focus range, while the future of family cars may be hinted at in Vauxhall's GTC Paris Concept.
Chevrolet premiered four new models as part of a bid by the iconic US carmaker to boost its market share.
Renault presented the electric Fluence ZE (zero emission) saloon and its Kangoo Express ZE van, which are expected to go on sale next year, and also unveiled a near-final version of its flagship Zoe model.
PSA displayed the Peugeot Ion and Citroen C-Zero runabouts, derived from the Mitsubishi i-Miev, and Nissan showed off its Leaf saloon.
"We have now moved from electric concept cars to cars you can actually buy," said Carlos da Silva of IHS Global Insight.
