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Organisers blame a multitude of factors, including a lack of interest from car makers.
The Geneva motor show has been cancelled indefinitely, with its organisers citing “too many uncertainties” and a “lack of interest from manufacturers” among the reasons why.
The Show was rebooted in February this year after a four-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to organisers Comité Permanent du Salon International de l’Automobile, the decision does not affect the Geneva Qatar motor show, which was first held in Doha in 2023 to fill the breach.
The next edition of the Qatar show is set to take place in November 2025.
“While the February 2024 relaunch edition intended to reposition and perpetuate the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) after a four-year absence due to COVID-19,” said Alexandre de Senarclens, President of the Comitépermanent du Salon international de l’automobile Foundation, in a statement.
“[But] the Board notes that there are too many uncertainties linked to the automotive industry and the eroded attractiveness of the major European shows to take the risk of investing further into the future.
“This extremely regrettable decision should not detract from the efforts and determination with which we have tried to regain our success.
“However, it has to be said that the lack of interest shown by manufacturers in the Geneva Salon in a difficult industry context, the competition from the Paris and Munich shows which are favored [sic] by their domestic industry, and the investment levels required to maintain such a show, sound the final blow for a future edition.”
Mr de Senarclens added that the Board was formally requesting permission to dissolve the Foundation as “market conditions in Europe are not conducive to the success of future editions”.
Late last year, Volkswagen, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz confirmed their brands would not attend the 2024 Geneva motor show – due to take place between 26 February and 3 March in Switzerland.
BMW was the only brand to comment on why it won’t be there, telling Automotive News Europe: “We have added our own new formats … while phasing out some existing formats. This includes appearances in Geneva, Paris and Detroit.”
First held in 1905, the Geneva show was the biggest European motor event for many years, with as many as 120 exhibitors and some 600,000 visitors in attendance at its peak.
The post Geneva motor show axed, Qatar to continue appeared first on Drive.
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