The curtain has lifted in Frankfurt for the 65th International Motor Show, a chance for automakers from around the globe to show off their latest models.
Nearly 100,000 visitors are expected at the Messe Frankfurt trade fair, including drivers, developers and manufacturers. Last year the show featured presentations from over 1,000 exhibitors from 32 countries, and 183 new products were unveiled.
Growth is the key word on every executive's lips at this year's event. While the U.S. auto industry has been restructured — with massive job cuts and cuts to production levels — the European industry is still suffering from overcapacity. Although there are signs of "green shoots", sales for the region have slumped to near 20-year lows.
(Read more: Auto CEOs: 2014 will not be an easy year)
Despite the gloom, the world's automakers are still showing off their shiniest and most technologically advanced vehicles this year. Trends include cars powered by either batteries or hybrid gas-electric systems. SUVs — sport utility vehicles — have also made waves in Frankfurt, as well as outlandish concept cars that won't even be available on the market. CNBC highlights these and other new releases on show at this year's event.
—By CNBC's Bianca Schlotterbeck with Matt Clinch