FRANKFURT, GERMANY: The world's automakers will try to win customers over with more environmentally friendly cars at the Frankfurt Auto Show this week as they tout new vehicles with hybrid propulsion and more advanced, cleaner engines.

The show reflects concerns about high gas prices, fuel efficiency and global warming by putting green products and technologies in focus: lower-emission diesels, new hybrids and hydrogen fuel cells some market-ready, others as concepts.

Matthias Wissmann, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry, said Monday that 1,081 companies were on hand and 88 new models would debut during the Sept. 13-23 show. The show is held every two years.

Auto industry adviser Ted Grozier said the exhibition will showcase the industry's efforts to reduce reliance on gas-guzzling vehicles.

''The conventional wisdom is that the U.S. will go hybrid and in Europe the diesel is being challenged,'' said Grozier of Green Order, a New York-based advisory group that counts General Motors Corp., among others, as clients for its advice on how to make cars cleaner.

''This may be a pivotal year for the industry in the battle for greener cars, and the gloves have come off,'' he said.

BMW, Porsche, Volkswagen and Daimler will all be showing cars with low-emission diesel engines and hybrids that feature electricity to augment traditional fuel motors, as well as hydrogen fuel-cell concepts that BMW is researching. It is all part of the effort to make high-mileage, cleaner cars that also meet drivers' expectations for performance.

Swedish automaker Volvo, owned by Ford Motor Co., will have its plug-in hybrid concept at the show. Called the ReCharge and based on its C30 hatchback, the hybrid is similar to GM's Chevrolet Volt, which was unveiled at the Detroit auto show earlier this year.

Like the Volt, the ReCharge uses four separate electric motors to power each wheel, augmenting a 1.6-liter four-cylinder Flexifuel engine. Volvo says a fully charged model can travel more than 62 miles on electricity alone before the engine takes over.

Ford will show off current models under its ECOnetic label that produce a lower level of emissions.

Ford is eager to pique consumer interest in its new subcompact concept car, the Verve, which if successful could be the basis of a new small car for global sales. Designed in Europe, the Verve concept has a rounded design and is demonstrably smaller than most cars on U.S. roads.

Chrysler LLC will feature its 2009 Dodge Journey, a sporty crossover wagon that will go on sale next year.