Geneva Motor Show cancelled due to lack of interest from manufacturers
The Geneva Motor Show, a staple event in the automotive calendar since its inception in 1905, has been indefinitely canceled due to difficult market conditions and a lack of manufacturer interest following the turbulent post-pandemic period. The decision, announced by the Comité permanent du Salon international de l’automobile, marks a significant shift in the European automotive show landscape.
Organisers cited several factors contributing to the cancellation, including the challenging post-pandemic market conditions and numerous uncertainties within the automotive industry. These issues have diminished the appeal of major European motor shows.
Show president Alexandre de Senarclens highlighted a “lack of interest from manufacturers” and the rising competition from other major European events, such as the Paris and Munich motor shows, as critical factors influencing their decision. He described these challenges as “the final blow for a future edition,” making further investment in the Geneva show too risky.
In a statement, the committee emphasised that the European market conditions were not conducive to the success of future editions of the show. This responsible decision, they added, was made after careful consideration of the market dynamics and feedback from industry stakeholders.
Despite this setback, the decision does not impact the Doha-based sister event, which successfully launched in 2023 during the Geneva show’s four-year hiatus. The next edition of the Doha event is scheduled for November 2025.
“This extremely regrettable decision should not detract from the efforts and determination with which we have tried to regain our success,” said de Senarclens, acknowledging the hard work and dedication of the teams involved in attempting to revive the motor show after the pandemic.
Earlier this year, the 2024 Geneva Motor Show marked the event’s first occurrence since 2019, featuring 23 manufacturers. However, the show was significantly smaller compared to its pre-pandemic editions, with notable absences such as Stellantis and the Volkswagen Group. These omissions followed reports of strained relations between organisers and some manufacturers over financial losses from the abrupt cancellation of the 2020 show.
At its peak, the Geneva Motor Show was regarded as the premier European motor event, attracting as many as 120 exhibitors and around 6,00,000 visitors. The indefinite cancellation of the show represents the end of an era for the automotive industry, reflecting broader changes and challenges facing the sector globally.
