Slideshow: International Motor Show, Geneva

Visitors at 77th International Motor Show, Geneva, Switzerland, photo

From March 8th to the 18th, around 700,000 visitors from all five continents are expected to attend the 77th International Auto Show in Geneva, Switzerland.

A truly global show, this event draws the usual spectrum of automakers exhibiting their latest, but in Geneva, you get the cream of the European crop of designers with specialty design firms like Italy's Zagato and Pininfarina proudly showing off their breathtaking designs. Brilliance China, exhibiting its popular BC3, BS6 and BS4 models, plans to import 158,000 cars over the next five years through its European partner, HSO Motors Europe.

With an ever increasing spotlight on global warming - and in particular, alternative energy - it comes as no surprise that this year's show will heavily showcase auto makers who are aggressively developing alternative power technologies and better fuel efficiency.

Here's a sampling of hybrid technology and concept cars exhibiting at the event...

Suburu R1e: (electric prototype)
These tiny city cars from Suburu can run on a battery that can be 80% recharged in just 15 minutes (quick cup of organic, decaf latte anyone?). Subaru plans to launch the car in markets that have short distance commuters.