This year's Geneva Motor Show, a pinnacle event in the automotive calendar, is witnessing a significant drop in participation. Scheduled from February 26 to March 3 in Geneva, the show will host just eight auto brands. This marks a distinct departure from its celebrated history as a key industry showcase.

The brands making an appearance include European entities Renault and Dacia. They'll be joined by BYD, Isuzu, Lucid, MG Motor, Microlino, and Pininfarina. Despite the smaller pool of automakers, a total of 29 exhibitors will fill the event space. The list extends beyond car manufacturers to include organizations like Automobile Club de Suisse and Formula 1 Merchandising.

Below is the complete list of exhibitors at the 2024 Geneva Motor Show:

  1. Automobile Club de Suisse (ACS) / Auto Gewerbe Verband Schweiz – Union Professionnelle Suisse de l’Automobile (AGVS/UPSA) / Avenergy / Routesuisse
  2. Assura
  3. Auto-i-DAT
  4. Beeway
  5. BYD
  6. Caresoft Global Limited
  7. Classics Legends Motor
  8. DAB Motors
  9. Dacia
  10. ErreErre Fuoriserie
  11. Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)
  12. Formula 1 Merchandising
  13. GP Motorsport
  14. Isuzu
  15. Kimera
  16. Lazareth
  17. Legends Magazine
  18. Lucid
  19. Martin Engler
  20. MG Motor
  21. Microlino
  22. Pininfarina
  23. Race World
  24. Renault
  25. Shenzer
  26. Silence
  27. Swiss Racing Lab
  28. Touring Club Suisse (TCS)
  29. Totem Automobili

Notably absent this year are major Japanese automakers, highlighting a trend that's becoming all too common for traditional auto shows. The industry is facing a transformative period with several factors influencing participation declines at events like GIMS. Costs have soared, compelling brands to explore digital channels for product announcements and marketing activities. Additionally, the automotive sector's shift toward electric and autonomous vehicles is reshaping priorities.

The future of European automotive events hangs in balance amid these changing dynamics. However, the establishment of GIMS Qatar last October hints at a broader strategy to engage global audiences. That event featured over 30 automakers in Doha.

As the Geneva Motor Show adapts to new realities, questions linger about what role traditional auto shows will play in an industry speeding towards innovation and digitization.

Source: Geneva Motor Show