The Geneva Motor Show Cancelled Indefinitely Due to Market Conditions

The highly anticipated Geneva Motor Show has been axed indefinitely, with organizers citing challenging market conditions and a lack of manufacturer interest as the main reasons for the cancellation. Following a turbulent post-Covid period, the decision to cancel next year’s edition and future shows was made due to uncertainties within the automotive industry that have diminished the appeal of major European shows.

Reasons for Cancellation

Show president Alexandre de Senarclens pointed to a lack of interest from manufacturers and increased competition from other major shows like Paris and Munich as contributing factors to the decision. The Comité permanent du Salon international de l’automobile, responsible for organizing the event, deemed further investment too risky given the current market conditions.

Future Plans

Despite the cancellation of the Geneva Motor Show, the Doha-based sister event launched in 2023 during the Geneva show’s hiatus will continue. The next edition is scheduled for November 2025. De Senarclens expressed regret over the decision but acknowledged the challenges faced in trying to revive the show after the Covid pandemic.

Looking Back

The 2024 Geneva Motor Show marked the first event since 2019, with 23 manufacturers showcasing their vehicles. However, notable absences such as Stellantis and the Volkswagen Group were evident, reportedly due to disagreements over financial losses from the late cancellation of the 2020 show.

In its prime, the Geneva Motor Show was a premier European event dating back to 1905, attracting up to 120 exhibitors and 600,000 visitors. Despite efforts to revive its success, market conditions and industry uncertainties have led to the unfortunate indefinite cancellation of this iconic motor show.