Еhe iconic Geneva International Motor Show, a staple in the automotive industry since 1905, will close its doors permanently, organizers announced on Friday. After more than a century as a leading venue for automakers to showcase their innovations, the decision to cancel the Geneva show for good marks the end of an era for car enthusiasts and industry insiders alike.
The Geneva show first opened in 1905, attracting 17,000 visitors to its debut. Despite initial success, it experienced interruptions due to economic crises and both World Wars. However, the event resumed in 1923 and saw a golden era, peaking in 2005 when it welcomed nearly 750,000 attendees. Over the decades, Geneva became synonymous with major automotive unveilings and industry trends, drawing global attention each March.
The show faced its most recent challenge with the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced a four-year hiatus. This year’s attempt to revive the tradition fell short of expectations, drawing only 37 exhibitors and 168,000 visitors—substantially fewer than the 184 exhibitors and 602,000 visitors in 2019. This decline reflects broader industry challenges and shifting priorities among manufacturers.
Alexandre de Senarclens, president of the foundation’s permanent committee, described the decision to end the show as “extremely regrettable.” He cited multiple factors, including diminishing interest from automakers, fierce competition from the Paris and Munich shows, and the hefty investments required to sustain the Geneva event.
“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 de Senarclens.
Organizers have petitioned cantonal authorities to dissolve the foundation behind the event. They acknowledged the numerous uncertainties facing the automotive sector and the diminishing appeal of major European shows as key reasons for not investing in future Geneva editions.
While the Geneva show concludes its long-running legacy, the Qatar edition of the event, inaugurated last year, remains on the calendar. The next Geneva International Motor Show Qatar is scheduled for Doha in November 2025, promising to continue the spirit of automotive innovation on a different stage.
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