RIP Geneva motor show

RIP Geneva motor show

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Skeptisk

Original Poster:

8,239 posts

116 months

Sunday 2nd June
quotequote all
Just read that the show has been cancelled for 2025 and all future years.

Another Covid related death, although perhaps (like Covid) it just killed off an elderly patient that was not long for the world anyway.

A further sign that Europe is losing influence in the global car market?

I went a couple of times when we lived in Switzerland. Highlights were the then new Vantage V8 and having a long chat with one of the key people involved in designing and developing the Carrera GT.

swisstoni

18,177 posts

286 months

Sunday 2nd June
quotequote all
Geneva used to be the place that the major manufacturers presented at. So, yes the end of an era.

As well as a sign of a reduction in the ‘power’ of Europe, perhaps its also a change in the way cars are marketed generally.
Maybe manufacturers now think that the big static show is not as effective as other means.

ntiz

2,410 posts

143 months

Tuesday 4th June
quotequote all
I think its more a reflection of how COVID damaged the concept of the big car exhibition.

I guess COVID just gave the manufacturer's the answer to the big "what if we just stopped going?" question. They probably looked at the numbers and found it had little to no affect on sales but saved them a fortune. Its much cheaper to just invite the press to the unveiling of your latest car at the factory or nice hotel.


Squadrone Rosso

2,913 posts

154 months

Tuesday 4th June
quotequote all
Been going with friends for many years. A boys trip which has been brilliant.

We booked this year & went to Geneva but after seeing the line up, we went sightseeing instead.

It’s a real shame but in truth, it died in 2020 frown

G0ldfysh

3,310 posts

264 months

Tuesday 4th June
quotequote all
This year went along and was so small and mostly Electric cars made in China.
With the exception of the Renault 5 the interesting cars where the older models as you walked in.

Was more telling knowing which manufacturer was owned or partnered with who highlighted that almost no manufacturers turned up.

Previous years whole hall full of VW cars, this year one hall covered everything.
Turned up later than planned (thank you EasyJet) and still finished early.

Truckosaurus

12,047 posts

291 months

Wednesday 5th June
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Similarly, the current incarnation of the British Motor Show ( https://www.thebritishmotorshow.live/ ) doesn't even list 'look at new cars' as one of the things to do at the show.

rix

2,846 posts

197 months

Wednesday 5th June
quotequote all
It's a real shame. I made the pilgrimage a few times and it was huge. A proper event and reminded me of the earls court / NEC shows that we used to have. It was such a significant event on the calendar I'm amazed that it didn't survive the pandemic. Properly gutted as there's just nothing else like it that exists in Europe.