By Jorn Madslien BBC News business reporter at the Frankfurt motor show

As the Frankfurt Motor Show revs up with press and trade days ahead of its opening to the public on Saturday, the world's car makers are pondering whether change at the top can revitalise their industry.

Rarely before has it been this windy at the peaks.

In recent months, a string of senior executives in several car firms have departed - some of them have been toppled - and as this year's motor show gets underway, Frankfurt is abuzz with rumours of further casualties ahead.

Yet, aside from the stiffer than normal grins of those about to tumble, there is a palpable sense of optimism.

The grooms are getting their steeds ready for the automotive race

Industry observers are eagerly watching as the new teams get ready for the eternal automotive race.

Among the majors, there is Dieter Zetsche, DaimlerChrysler's incoming chief who last month stepped in to restore the shine of the Mercedes star, and Carlos Ghosn, who became the chief executive of both Nissan and its alliance partner Renault this spring.

Volkswagen's new brand chief, Wolfgang Bernard, will also be watched closely, essentially because he is seen as the eventual successor to Volkswagen Group's chief Bernd Pischetsrieder.

And Fiat Auto's recently appointed chief, Sergio Marchionne, is expected to give details of its new alliance with Ford, only months after the end of its uneasy partnership with General Motors.

The two companies are reportedly developing a new small car, one of the fastest growing markets in Europe.

Large and powerful

So expect a great deal of confident swagger as the newcomers swing open their stable doors to show off their steeds.

Will the star sparkle?

Mr Zetsche will unveil one of the biggest - the new luxury executive Mercedes S-class - and one of the baddest - the world's most powerful sports utility vehicle (SUV), the 510bhp Mercedes ML 63 AMG.

Less powerful, but larger, is the competing Audi Q7 SUV from Mr Pischetsrieder's Volkswagen Group, while Mr Ghosn will be behind the Renault Egeus, a French luxury SUV concept car.

Mr Bernard will be making a splash with the most powerful Volkswagen Golf yet, the 247bhp R32, and its UK subsidiary Bentley will show one of the most luxurious convertible cars in existence, the Azure.

Fiat's new Punto will also be on display, an exciting model - though more because of its importance to Fiat and Mr Marchionne's future than due to any of its attributes.

Hybrid competitor

Elsewhere, coupe lovers will be offered the Porsche Cayman and the BMW Z4 coupe, both hard-top versions of their roadsters.

And Volvo will show off its new C70 coupe convertible, which is said to combine the best of both worlds.

Volvo's new C70 coupe convertible: the best of both worlds

Volvo's lesser sister-marque Ford will give a strong clue about what its cars will look like in the very near future with its Iosis coupe, while Jaguar - also part of Ford Motor - will introduce its crucial XK sports car.

There will also be plenty of concept hybrids on display - cars that combine petrol or diesel engines with electric power - as major automotive groups join forces to catch up with Toyota's incredible lead in this area.

The Japanese automotive major is not worried. Instead, Toyota's group executives casually point to its luxury subsidiary Lexus which will unveil its executive GS450h.

This car offers hybrid technology now, not in the distant future, and hopes are high as it gets ready to race against BMW's 5-series and Mercedes' E-class.