Family SUVs and sports cars all the rage in Geneva

Small SUVs for families and powerful sports cars for the rich are the big things this year at the Geneva International Motor Show. Environmentally correct electrics and hybrids, not so much — thanks to cheaper petrol and limits on battery life.

Analysts say this show, which opens on Thursday, is more about the search for hit vehicles than new technology, since carmakers are trying to boost sales as Europe slowly recovers from its debt crisis.

Car registrations across the EU increased 5.4% last year to 12.5 million, but remain woefully below their peak of around 16 million in 2007.