Geneva 2022: Rescue from the Emirate of Qatar?
HOPE The Geneva Motor Show had been a fixed date for the automotive world for decades - until Corona came along and the show had to be cancelled twice. The two cancellations also presented the organizers with financial problems. The future of the event faced 600,000 visitors after 90 editions. Pictures of past salons in the [...]
The future of the event was on the brink of extinction with 600,000 visitors after 90 editions. Pictures of past salons in the gallery.
In addition, there were disputes with the canton of Geneva, which put the future of the event in question. But now the future of the Geneva International Motorshow seems to be secured.
Partnership with investment company
The savior apparently comes from the Arab Emirate of Qatar, which has apparently solved the financial problems of the Foundation, the organizer behind the Salon, as a partner.
The partnership with the investment company from the Emirate is designed in such a way that the Arab financiers want to use the experience and, above all, the international network of the Geneva-based company for their own large-scale car show.
Search for international events
After various major sporting events such as next year's World Cup, the emirate is looking for more international events.
To the Swiss media, trade fair director Sandro Mesquita confirmed the negotiations with international partners. However, the exact details remain officially still in the dark. On August 26, the identity of the financier and the further plans are to be published.
According to plans, the redesigned trade show will be held next year between February 19 and 27. The tenders have already been sent to the car manufacturers a few weeks ago.
Exhibition space is significantly reduced
However, the next Auto Salon is to be very different from previous events. Those responsible have reduced the exhibition area by around 20 percent, and at the same time the organizers want to show the "entire ecosystem of mobility," whatever that may mean.
In contrast to the German IAA, where more bicycle manufacturers than automobile producers will be showing their innovations in Munich in September, the focus in Geneva will definitely be on the automobile with all types of drive.
Financial implications for the canton
The news that the Motor Show has a future again should have caused a sigh of relief, especially in the canton of Geneva. Although the city's left-wing administration has not exactly been car-friendly in the past, the financial impact of the Motor Show is something that the hoteliers and restaurateurs of the metropolis on Lac Leman in particular are happy to take.
According to a calculation by Geneva University, the fair flushes around 200 million Swiss francs into the pockets of the local economy.
