The Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS), a hallmark event in the automotive world since 1905, faces indefinite cancellation, as declared by organizers. This decision emerges from persistent market challenges post-pandemic, diminished interest from key manufacturers, and escalating competition from rival European exhibitions.
Alexandre de Senarclens, President of the Comité Permanent du Salon International de l’Automobile, attributed the termination to dwindling manufacturer enthusiasm and robust competition from Paris and Munich events. He characterized the move as a prudent measure amidst excessive risks associated with sustaining the show under current economic conditions.
Despite the discontinuation at its traditional Swiss venue, GIMS Qatar will persist, with the forthcoming assembly slated for November 2025. This variant of the motor show debuted in Doha in 2023, during a four-year suspension of the Geneva counterpart, indicating a strategic shift towards emerging markets.
The Comité Permanent du Salon International de l’Automobile confirmed the arduous nature of the decision, highlighting adverse European market conditions unsupportive of the show’s future success. “This extremely regrettable decision should not detract from the efforts and determination with which we have tried to regain our success,” stated de Senarclens, reflecting on efforts to resurrect the event post-COVID.
Traditionally recognized as the premier European automotive spectacle, the Geneva show attracted up to 120 exhibitors and about 600,000 visitors at its zenith. The event prior to the pandemic in 2019, and a brief resurgence in 2024, evidenced shifting dynamics, with a mere 23 manufacturers participating and notable no-shows including Stellantis and the Volkswagen Group.
This indefinite cessation signifies a profound transformation in the European automotive exhibition landscape, underscoring shifting priorities and emerging challenges within the global automotive sector.
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