End Of An Era? Geneva Motoshow Cancelled Indefinitely

What was once regarded as the jewel in the automotive industry crown for 119 years, the Geneva Motor Show has been cancelled indefinitely. The decision was announced by the Comité permanent du Salon international de l’automobile, and it cited difficult market conditions and a lack of interest from manufacturers as reasons behind axing the show. 

This seems like the final pin in the coffin of one of the longest-running automotive shows in the world. Ever since COVID-19, the event was riddled with headwinds which led to the show getting cancelled three years in a row - 2020, 2021, and 2023. 

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It did return earlier this year, but the event was a lacklustre one that saw participation from just 23 manufacturers and the show was significantly a smaller affair compared to its previous standard. At its peak, the Geneva Motor Show attracted as many as 120 manufacturers with around 6,00,000 visitors. 

The first Geneva Motor Show was held in 1905, and ever since then, it has bore witness to some stunning and iconic car debuts on its show floor. From concepts to full-blown production-spec cars that would leave your jaw wide-open, you name it and chances are it all started in Geneva. Whether, it was the Jaguar E-type, or the Porsche 917, or the Audi Quattro, all were showcased in Geneva. Moreover, the venue has even hosted several iconic launches, the Ferrari La Ferrari and the Lamborghini Countach aka LP500 Concept are some of the iconic notables here.

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The indefinite cancellation of the Geneva Motor Show almost marks the end of an era for the automotive industry. Sure, organisers have assured that its spin-off, the Geneva International Motor Show that debuted in Doha last year will continue as planned in 2025. But, it won’t be the same as before. Moreover, the cancellation of the auto show in Geneva is another stark reminder of the global challenges and changes that have rocked this sector.