The Geneva International Motor Show, a historic staple in the automotive world, is shutting its doors for good after 119 years, marking the end of an era. Organizers announced on Friday that waning interest from automakers has led to the permanent cancellation of what was once a premier industry event.
First held in 1905, the Geneva Auto Show originally attracted 17,000 visitors and managed to survive through significant historical upheavals. After a brief start with three editions, the show went on hiatus due to the economic crisis and World War I, but it resumed in 1923. Over the years, the event grew immensely, peaking in 2005 with nearly 750,000 attendees.
Despite its storied past, the show’s relevance has waned in recent years, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced a four-year suspension. This year’s revival saw only 37 exhibitors and 168,000 visitors, a sharp decline from the 184 exhibitors and 602,000 visitors in 2019. The pandemic’s impact, coupled with shifting industry dynamics, proved insurmountable.
“The lack of interest shown by manufacturers in the Geneva Salon in a difficult industry context, the competition from the Paris and Munich shows which are favored by their domestic industry, and the investment levels required to maintain such a show, sound the final blow,” said Alexandre de Senarclens, president of the permanent committee of the foundation behind the event. The organizers have requested cantonal authorities to dissolve the foundation, citing the “eroded attractiveness of the major European shows” as a key factor.
In contrast to the European decline, the Qatar edition of the show is set to continue, reflecting a geographical shift in the auto industry’s focus. The Geneva International Motor Show Qatar, which debuted successfully last year, will return in Doha in November 2025, continuing the legacy in a new locale.
This move signifies the changing landscape of the auto industry, where traditional shows in Europe face challenges while new markets like the Middle East present fresh opportunities. For more on this development, visit TechXplore.
The closure of the Geneva Auto Show not only marks the end of a century-old tradition but also highlights the evolving dynamics within the global automotive industry, as it adapts to new challenges and opportunities in the 21st century.