Geneva says goodbye to cars

The most important motor show in the world is saying goodbye to its historic location in Geneva, where cars that revolutionised the entire automotive market and design have been presented to the world for a century since 1905. The news comes directly from Geneva with an official press release after the Comité permanent du Salon international de l'Automobile Foundation Council revealed on 31 May 2024 that: ‘it is not possible to continue investing in such an expensive salon with so many uncertainties related to the automotive industry and the erosion of the attractiveness of the main European salons. Alexandre de Senarclens, President of the Foundation Comité permanent du Salon international de l'automobile explained that ‘this extremely regrettable decision should not detract from the efforts and determination with which we have tried to regain our success. However, it must be said that the lack of interest shown by manufacturers at the Geneva Motor Show in a difficult industrial context, the competition from the Paris and Munich shows favoured by the domestic industry, and the level of investment required to maintain this show, give the final blow to a future edition’.

Not being able to achieve its statutory purpose, the Foundation Board, within the scope of its powers, will formally ask the cantonal supervisory authority for foundations (ASFIP) for authorisation to dissolve the Foundation. ‘Without the commitment and conviction of the GIMS operational teams under the leadership of Sandro Mesquita, there would have been no show in Geneva, and no show in Doha. The teams put all their determination into relaunching the show after the COVID pandemic,' de Senarclens said. The show will continue its way in Quatar, in Doha, but a piece of European motoring history has just left us and will never return. This event leaves an indelible mark on what will be the future of the European automotive industry. What was once the show where the technical and design innovations of every major car brand were presented to the world, had in recent years become a sort of mere display of models that had already been released some time ago and with few previews. Car brands are stopping presenting their cars at trade fairs in favour of live broadcasts on social media. Is this really the right way to show the world what brands can do?