The Geneva Motor Show is in full swing as of this writing and car makers around the globe have brought the best of what they have to offer in terms of striking new technological concepts and performance beasts. It would appear as if the car makers have forgotten about the worldwide credit crunch that has seen auto sales plummet to record low’s and companies lose billions of dollars. My only question is: are these flashy new and advanced concepts being introduced too late to save the auto industry?

In past weeks I have written more than a few posts about the bailout and the economic slowdown, so much so that I began to get tired of reading how bad the economy was. However, yesterday as I waited for my afternoon class to start I picked up a copy of The Wall Street Journal and was immediately dismayed at what I saw. Along with the usual articles about CEO’s raking in millions of dollars while their companies flounder (yes Merrill Lynch I am talking about you), the Marketplace section was headlined by an article that read: U.S. Auto Sales Plunged 41% in February. I immediately rolled my eyes and wondered how much worse things could get. Well, according to analysts, the economy has not quite hit rock bottom, as clearly shown by the continuous sagging of the market. With the auto bailout and stimulus package being approved, the government is pumping ungodly amounts of cash back into the economy in hopes of saving several companies, companies like Chrysler who actually gained market share in February thanks to gratuitous dealer incentives. The fact of the matter is that every auto maker in the world is getting a swift kick in the small potatoes every month when sales figures are announced. Even once untouchables as Toyota and Honda are experiencing sales declines of 40% and 38% respectively. If the god-like Japanese are going down, what are already screwed American companies going to do?

Back to my original question though. Can all these new concepts really help pull the struggling companies out of their what seems to be immenent doom? I am certain they think they can save themselves. With its numerous brands, General Motors certainly has made a healthy showing at Geneva thus far with concepts like the Saturn-inspired Opel Ampera that blends fuel efficiency and attractive aesthetics. Chrysler introduced the 200c, a partial zero emissions vehicle that looks and acts the part along with other envirnmentaly concious vehicles. What about Ford? They have certainly made big steps in the right direction with new cars such as the Ka, Fiesta, Focus RS, and iosisMAX.

The companies are certainly doing everything they can to return to sustainability but I wonder if the previous years of careless and inefficient business practices are going to be th end of them. GM, with its aforementioned numerous brands saw a 69% drop in sales among Saab, Hummer and Saturn in February. Although that is a number often riddled with innuendo, it is no joking matter when it comes to sales. I almost spit out my water when I read that the February totals for Saab came in at 712 units. That is correct, Saab sold 712 units last month. ARE YOU F***ING KIDDING ME?!?! How is a company supposed to stay afloat when their divisions are selling less than 1,000 units per month? I am not aware of Saab’s sales abroad however with information like this becoming known, I wonder if cars like their new 9-3X were even worth trailering to Geneva. As I have said before, only time will tell.

*Thanks to Barbados Undergroud for the picture, it was too funny to pass up*