-- In a scene reminiscent of General Motors in its happier days, Volkswagen AG rented out a big hall here to display a slew of new models.

They ranged from humble Volkswagens to roaring roadsters, in the most extravagant soiree of the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The variety of cars on display "demonstrate that we have not only the widest range of brands but the best, and something for every customer," said Volkswagen Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn. Among the new models was an ultra-clean VW-brand electric car called e-Up, a concept for a car that will hit showrooms in 2013.

The vehicles coming out of the VW group should hearten Porsche, Winterkorn said, referring to the legendary sports car manufacturer that is being merged into VW after failing in its bold bid to acquire control of Europe's largest carmaker.

The VW group has the heft and expertise to help each of its nine brands -- 10 including Porsche -- succeed, he said.

"Within Volkswagen, every brand has room to thrive," said Winterkorn, standing by his mentor, VW supervisory board chairman Ferdinand Piech.

At Volkswagen's event in the Frankfurt suburb of Höchst, there was no hint of an industry struggling through its worst recession in decades. Waiters served drinks and hors d'oeuvres to a crowd of more than 1,000 in a festive gathering that recalled the industry's best years. VW is still earning money, Winterkorn reminded the crowd, and the Wolfsburg, Germany-based automaker has increased its share this year of the global market.

Executives heading the various brands discussed their plans as new models roared or rolled quietly along the Via Vision strip leading to a center stage. The new vehicles go on display today at the Frankfurt show's press preview.

They include clean diesel Volkswagen-brand multivans, an airy Seat Ibiza IBZ station-wagon concept, a sleek and spacious Skoda Superb station-wagon, and a V-10 powered Audi R8 Spyder that can go from a standstill to 62 mph in 4.1 seconds.

In the new Bentley Mulsanne, the technology is hidden behind wood veneers and hand-stitched leather. The sculpted Lamborghini Reventon delivering 670 horsepower was outdone only by the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport "Sang Bleu," with its 1001-horsepower.

Piech, a former chief executive of VW and previously head of Audi, acquired many of VW's luxury brands as part of a strategy to transform the middle-market carmaker into a technology leader with pricing power.