Auto News 5

European economic crisis? Hah! This place is nothing like Detroit circa 2009 -- 10, when the ravages of the Great Recession made Cobo Hall look like a scene from a clearance sale. On the contrary, there was a bumper crop of new sheetmetal in Frankfurt. The Germans led the way with their huge, separate halls displaying entry-level to ultra-luxury cars and crossovers. Audi constructed a purpose-built, temporary stadium in the space BMW used to own and designed its "upside-down city" with ceiling mirrors to double display its cars. BMW responded with a stand that looks like an Apple superstore, complete with a raised track for i3 demo rides. Picking the hits and misses here are deputy editor Joe DeMatio, executive editor Todd Lassa, associate editors David Zenlea and Greg Migliore, associate web editor Evan McCausland, and the critic every car designer respects and fears, our automotive design editor, Robert Cumberford.