Auto Zürich: 66 brands under one roof
While the Palexpo halls in Geneva remain empty and the tradition of the motor show has come to an end, car fans in Zurich can still dream. From November 7 to 10, the 37th edition of Auto Zürich, Switzerland's largest car show, will feature even more exhibitors.
An incredible variety of vehicles that make you want to drive, and 66 brands under one roof! This is what characterizes Auto Zürich 2024. Following the demise of the Geneva Motor Show (Gims), it has become the largest national motor show. For car buyers, but also garage owners and simply all car fans and those interested in mobility, it offers the opportunity to view the increasingly diverse range of models and drive systems in one place. A recipe for success that brought 62,068 visitors to the last Auto Zürich.
What is behind this success and what visitors can look forward to at the 37th edition, AutoSprintCH asks the organizers Karl Bieri and Ines Nägeli.
Mr. Bieri, what would you tell a friend why he should visit Auto Zurich?
Karl Bieri, President of Auto Zürich: Hardly any other place currently offers the opportunity to experience the diversity and multifaceted nature of the automotive world with all its fascination under one roof.
Ms. Nägeli, why shouldn't anyone miss the trade fair in November?
Ines Nägeli, Managing Director of Auto Zürich: In a market that is currently characterized by major upheavals - also with regard to new brands - it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain an overview. With 66 brands represented, Auto Zürich is able to bring practically the entire spectrum of the new car market to life in one place and provide a comprehensive overview of current product and brand developments in the Swiss automotive market. Following the closure of the Geneva Motor Show, Auto Zürich is the most important national motor show.
What does this mean for you?
Karl Bieri: While Auto Zurich was always a pure sales fair, Geneva increasingly became an international stage where the focus was on showcasing the car brands. In this respect, we hardly had any overlaps here, which is also one reason why we have been able to operate in perfect coexistence all these years. The end of Gims, which we very much regret, has therefore - at least so far - had no major direct impact on the upcoming Auto Zürich. What we are already noticing, however, is a growing interest, especially from smaller, mostly very exclusive manufacturers, who are now looking for new ways to attract customers and interested parties in Switzerland.
Is this new significance also a challenge - and will Auto Zürich become even bigger?
Ines Nägeli: The challenge is that we must and want to meet more diverse requirements and content without being able to increase the size of the exhibition space, as the space available at Messe Zürich is already largely exhausted. We will continue to invest heavily here in order to be able to counter this situation with intelligent and contemporary solutions. Maintaining accessibility and proximity for exhibitors and visitors remains crucial.
The classic car area is a fixed component. Now it is being supplemented with the Auto Zürich U35 module. Why?
Karl Bieri: The focus of Auto Zürich U35 is on the so-called Youngtimers. This is a relatively young area of collecting. Broadly speaking, it includes vehicles from the 1970s to 1990s and even more recently. For many, these vehicles represent a good compromise between a classic look and technically sound equipment. In many cases, there is also a reliable supply of spare parts. This means that they can usually be used as everyday vehicles without any restrictions. In order to clearly differentiate the new module from Auto Zürich Classic, whose portfolio has always been comparatively sophisticated since it was founded - and should remain so - the decisive factor for youngtimers is not the year of manufacture, but rather the price. Here we consistently set the upper limit at CHF 35,000.
What other innovations can we look forward to?
Ines Nägeli: As in the past, we have made considerable investments this year in order to further improve our relevance and quality of experience. And personally, I am particularly looking forward to the enthusiasm that we hope to arouse in all visitors with the program of this year's Auto Zürich!
Auto Zürich 2024 - the most important information
Date/Opening hours: Wednesday, November 6: exclusive pre-opening. Visitor days: Thursday, November 7, to Sunday, November 10, 2024, Thursday/Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday/Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: Zurich fair
Admission prices (when ordering online): Adults CHF 19; AHV/IV recipients CHF 12; pupils/students/learners CHF 10; evening tickets (Thurs/Fri from 6pm) CHF 12; family ticket (2 adults, one to four children up to 16 years) CHF 39; children up to 6 years (accompanied by an adult) free; season ticket CHF 30.
Info: auto-zuerich.ch
The highlights at Auto Zürich
Auto Zürich 2024 has expanded its portfolio of brands even further. Including many Swiss and even European premieres. Other models: Abarth 600E, Alfa Romeo Junior, Alpine A290, Aston Martin Vanquish, Audi S6 Avant E-Tron, Audi Q6 E-Tron, Bertone GB110, BMW X3 and BMW iX5 H2, Cadillac Lyriq, Citroën C3/e-C3, Citroën C4, Citroën C3/e-C3 Aircross, Cupra Terramar, Dacia Duster and Dacia Spring, Ferrari 12 Cilindri, Fiat 600 MHEV, Ford Capri, Genesis G90, Honda Civic Type-R 50th Anniversary, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Line, Hyundai Inster, Hyundai Staria, HJAC E30X, JAC T9EV 4×4, Jeep Avenger 4xe The North Face, KGM Torres EVX, Kia EV3, Land Rover Defender Octa, Lexus RZ300E FWD, Lotus Emeya, Lucid Air Pure RWD, Lucid Air Gravity, Maxus eTerron 9, Mazda CX-80, Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology, MG HS, MG Cyberster, MHero1, Mini Aceman, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Morgan Plus Four, Opel Frontera, Opel Grandland, Pagani Utopia Roadster, Peugeot E-5008, Polestar 4, Porsche Macan, Porsche 911 GT3 RS Tribute to Jo Siffert, Renault 5, Renault Symbioz, Renault Rafale, Rimac Nevera, Seat Leon, Skoda Elroq, Smart #5 Concept, Subaru Forester, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Land Cruiser, VW Tayron, VW ID.7 Tourer GTX, VW California, Volvo EX90 and Volvo CX90.
