GIMS 2023: Geneva help the desert show at the start 🎥

The Emirate of Qatar is small in terms of the area it occupies on the Arabian Peninsula. But size is not an argument for the rulers of this oil- and gas-rich piece of desert, and that is why the small state secures one international event after another and shows the world what money can buy. There is hardly a sport that has not seen its champions crowned here - with the highlight being last year's soccer World Cup.

Trade fair as an automotive festival

And this year? In October, the world will travel to Qatar for the Geneva International Motorshow (GIMS) (October 5-14). The event is not intended as a classic car show, but rather as an automotive festival to which 200,000 visitors are expected. At the same time, they are to get to know the emirate's tourist attractions, because the motor show organized by the Geneva International Motorshow is part of the emirate's tourism promotion.

Qatar's head of tourism Berthold Trenkel: "Tourism currently accounts for around seven percent of our gross domestic product. We want to increase this share to twelve percent by 2030. That's why we want visitors not only to stop by the trade show, but also to experience the country's tourism offerings."

Car museum presents rarities

For example, the Qatar Museum, built by the French star architect Jean Nouvel, or the Car Museum, which will show some special automotive rarities to trade fair visitors even before the official opening in two years' time. Also worth a visit is the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, where the sheikh's private collection is on display.

In addition to Islamic works of art, the fortress near Al Samriya also houses the museum founder's extensive classic car collection, which is well worth seeing. Of course, visitors should also get to know the emirate's desert, where they can take test drives in four-wheel drive vehicles.

Geneva naming rights for ten years

Sandro Mesquita, Director Auto-Salon Geneva: "There were also talks with other Gulf states at the time. In the end, we decided in favor of Qatar. Qatar did not buy any shares in our company. That is not even possible because we are a foundation. The people of Geneva are acting as advisors, and in addition, the Emirate has acquired the rights to the name of the Geneva event for ten years."

The organizers estimate that 40 to 50 brands will take part in the first Geneva Motor Show in the Arabian Gulf, including Chinese manufacturers who want to use this stage. Japanese and Korean brands currently dominate the street scene in Qatar.

The exhibition space is limited

It is not yet clear whether the manufacturers will be represented by their importers or dealers. In any case, the exhibition space at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center is limited to 29,0000 square meters (equivalent to four soccer fields). Although the show is sandwiched between the IAA in Munich and the Tokyo Motor Show, manufacturers not exhibiting in Munich or Japan are expected to show their new products in Doha. This is because Doha and the region have great potential.

Sandro Mesquita: "People are enthusiastic about cars. In the medium term, the event should establish itself and acquire such a reputation that new products are shown here as a matter of course".

Car parade and a run of the Formula 1

The Geneva International Motorshow Qatar has the motto "The Ultimate Festival of Automotive Excellence," but this does not mean that only customers for exclusive automobiles will get their money's worth. Those responsible for the show have chosen a very broad definition of the term "excellence," ranging from Toyota to the world's top brands. The fair's organizers are proud of the format, which makes use of several points around Doha.

For example, the four-wheel-drive vehicles on display can be tested on a desert site south of the Qatari capital. The sporty models can be driven on the Grand Prix circuit, and on October 12 there will be a large car parade on the seafront on the Corniche in Doha, where exhibitors and automakers from the region can show off their treasures. In addition, Formula 1 will make a stop in Doha during the days of the fair.

Although the Qatar visitor may well have doubts about it, sustainability is also an issue in Doha. This concerns above all the electrification of mobility and hydrogen, which, obtained from solar plants, could replace natural gas in the future. What the region can achieve in this area will be addressed in a congress during the trade fair.

Motor Show at Palexpo next year

While Qatar prepares for the show, plans are also underway for the Geneva Motor Show in its ancestral biotope on Lac Leman. Although the tradition-steeped events have come under pressure worldwide, next year's Motor Show is also set to return to Switzerland from Feb. 26 to March 3, adopting elements of its Doha offshoot. After all, the Salon is celebrating its 100th anniversary as an international show. It was not until 1924 that foreign exhibitors were admitted.

Sandro Mesquita: "The contract with the exhibition company Palexpo has been signed and we are registering positive signs from the industry. However, these still have to translate into firm commitments. In any case, the focus on Lake Geneva will be on the car. We know that other trade shows are changing, but we're sticking with the automobile."

Source: Car-Medienportal.net
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