The 2010 Geneva Auto Show opened to the public on Thursday, leading a new trend of going "green".

Almost all major carmakers, from Porsche to Peugeot, have exhibited their new products under the banner of environment protection.

Porsche's hybrid-engined concept car, the 918 Spyder, will travel 16 miles before switching over to gas. Although the distance is not long, Porsche’s concept has made the biggest splash at the show, saying something about the auto industry's future.

Like the Spyder, Peugeot's iOn is equipped with lithium batteries. Yet unlike the powerful sports car hybrid, the iOn four-seater is fully electric and will last for 80 miles between charges. It is going to sell at the end of this year.

Though hybrids and electric cars are the new headline grabbers in the media and attention grabbers at the auto show, they represent a niche market. Hybrids are thought to make up less than 5 percent of the global market while electric cars hover around 1 percent.

The Geneva Auto Show will run from Mar 4 to 14.