The legendary long-running Geneva International Motor Show is closing for good due to waning interest from automakers, despite the success of a similar event in Qatar.
Motor show closes
Historical exhibition
The first Geneva International Automobile Exposition was held in 1905, attracting about 17 thousand visitors. Over more than a century of history, there have been periods when the event was not held due to economic crises and military conflicts. The peak of popularity came in 2005, when the exhibition was visited by almost 750 thousand people.
Declining interest
The coronavirus pandemic forced the organizers to take a four-year break. When it resumed in 2023, the show had just 37 exhibitors and 168,000 guests - significantly fewer than in 2019, the year before the pandemic, when 602,000 people attended the exposition from 184 companies.
Reasons for closing
The head of the organizing committee, Alexander de Senarklens, called the decision to close the car dealership extremely sad , but forced. The reasons were a decrease in the interest of automakers in the event, competition with the Paris and Munich exhibitions that give priority to national brands, as well as high costs of organization.
Exhibition in Qatar
At the same time, the Qatar division of the car dealership will continue to operate after a successful debut in 2022. The next Geneva International Automotive Show in Doha is scheduled for November 2025.
Glossary
- The Geneva Motor Show is the largest international automobile exhibition held in Switzerland since 1905.
- COVID-19 is a viral disease that has caused a pandemic and shut down many activities around the world.
- Alexandre de Senarklens is the president of the organizing committee of the Geneva Motor Show.
- Doha is the capital of Qatar, where a similar automobile exhibition has been held since 2022.
Links
Answers to questions
Why is the Geneva Motor Show with more than a century of history closing?
How has the Geneva Motor Show developed throughout its history?
How was the 2023 Geneva Motor Show after the break due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
What reasons led to the closure of the Geneva Motor Show?
What will happen to the Qatar branch of the Geneva Motor Show?
Hashtags
Save a link to this article
Discussion of the topic – The Geneva Motor Show closes after 119 years of success: the end of an era of auto glamor
One of the oldest and most prestigious car dealerships in the world is closing after more than a century of history. Organizers announced the termination of the Geneva International Motor Show due to a drop in interest from car manufacturers.
Latest comments
8 comments
Write a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are checked *
Михаил
It's a shame that the Geneva Motor Show will no longer be held. It was one of the most prestigious and famous events in the automotive world. 😔
Иван
Yeah, that's sad news. But I think this decision was inevitable. Automakers are increasingly focusing on their own events and online presentations. 🤷♂️
Ханна
Perhaps this is for the best. Large auto shows are hugely expensive and often pollute the environment. Who knows, maybe digital presentations will become a new trend? 🌱
Виктор
I disagree with you, Hannah. Visiting a car showroom is an entire event, part of culture. The opportunity to see new products with your own eyes and feel the atmosphere is irreplaceable. 🚗
Карл
Hmm, I think all these auto shows are already outdated. I prefer online broadcasts and virtual tours. Much more convenient and environmentally friendly. 💻 Why spend money on organizing such events?
Грета
I couldn't agree more with Karl. Auto shows are a relic of the past. Nowadays we need to think about sustainable development and reducing emissions. 🌍 I'm glad that manufacturers are starting to realize this.
Бруно
Eh, you are all so boring! 🙄 Car dealerships are a real holiday for car enthusiasts. Nothing beats the feeling of seeing a new model in person. I will miss the Geneva Motor Show. 😢
Ян
I agree that car shows are classics and part of the history of the automotive industry. But times change, and you need to keep up with the times. Perhaps in the future there will be new event formats that combine the best of offline and online. 👍 It’s a pity that Geneva couldn’t adapt.