Geneva International Motor Show Explained

The Geneva International Motor Show was an annual auto show held in March in the Swiss city of Geneva.

The show was hosted at the Palexpo, a convention centre located next to the Geneva Cointrin International Airport. The Salon was organised by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, and was considered an important major international auto show.^[1]

First held in 1905, the Salon hosted almost all major internal combustion engined models in the history of the automobile, along with benzene- and steam-powered cars from the beginning of the century. Exotic supercars often steal the spotlight during their debuts at the show. Prototypes, new equipment, technical breakthroughs, international partnerships, as well as political and social debates, have been announced at the exhibition. The show was regarded as a level playing field for the world's automakers, aided by the fact Switzerland lacked an auto industry of its own.^[2]

The Geneva International Motor Show was not held in 2020-2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact on the global automobile industry. The event returned in 2024.

In May 2024 the Geneva Show organizing committee decided to cancel the event for 2025 and beyond, citing a general lack of interest by manufacturers and competition from other shows. It shifted its focus to the show scheduled for November 2025 in Qatar.^[3]

Sections

Areas of the show:

1. Motor cars, 3 or 4 or more wheels.
2. Electric cars and alternative powered cars.
3. Special bodywork for motor cars, car design, engineering.
4. Converted cars (tuners).
5. Accessories and parts for motor cars
6. OEM : original equipment manufacturers
7. Workshop installations for the repair and maintenance of motor cars
8. Miscellaneous products and services related to the car industry
9. Animation / Attractions.

The International Advanced Mobility Forum is the Geneva Motor Show forum on the mobility of the future.^[4]

2020s

2025

The organizers of the car show have announced the closure.^[5] While they will continue to organize the Qatar Motor Show, at Doha.^{[6] [7]}

2024

In July 2023, plans were announced for the 2024 Geneva Motor Show from 26 February to 3 March, with a revised format to reduce costs for exhibitors.^[8] The 2024 edition highlighted serious organizational shortcomings, which resulted in lower participation or the total absence of the manufacturers. As of January 26, 2024, automakers that are confirmed to present at the show in 2024 are:^{[9] [10]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Geneva Motor Show 2010 . Geneva Motor Show 2010 . 24 January 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110128120050/http://www.genevamotorshow2010.com/ . 28 January 2011.
2. Web site: Frank Jordans. Small is beautiful at the Geneva International Motor Show. Los Angeles Times. 6 March 2008.
3. News: Shifting Gears: Geneva Salon Discontinued, GIMS Qatar to Lead Future Endeavors . Geneva International Motor Show . 2024-05-31 . 2024-05-31.
4. Web site: IAMF . https://web.archive.org/web/20070914173305/http://www.iamf.ch/en/ . dead . 14 September 2007 . Iamf.ch . 27 June 2009.
5. News: Salone di Ginevra addio (e stavolta per sempre) . 31 May 2024 . quattroruote.it . quattroruote.it . 31 May 2024.
6. Web site: Shifting Gears: Geneva Salon Discontinued, GIMS Qatar to Lead Future Endeavors . genevamotorshow.com . 31 May 2024 . 31 May 2024.
7. News: Addio per sempre al Salone dell'auto di Ginevra . 31 May 2024 . alvolante.it . alvolante.it . 31 May 2024.
8. Web site: Geneva auto show revamped for 2024 as 'affordable' event . Automotive News Europe . 22 August 2023 . 12 July 2023.
9. Web site: Angel. Sergeev. Just Eight Auto Brands Will Attend This Year's Geneva Motor Show. Motor1. 26 January 2024. 31 January 2024.
10. Web site: Renault, Dacia, MG, BYD, Among Few Remaining Exhibitors At 2024 Geneva Motor Show. Brad. Anderson. Carscoops. 30 January 2024. 7 February 2024.