Geneva, Paris, Frankfurt, London, Turin, Detroit and Tokyo all have something in common. They are, or have been, world-famous, occasionally notorious, but increasingly outdated standard venues for motor shows. trouble is, as the once-great automobile exhibition capitals of the world, they’re now either dead or dying.
The reasons for their demise are many. a lot of shows were staged in freezing autumn or freezing wintertime months when the organisers grabbed expo halls for the lowest prices, causing showgoers like me to freeze our bollards off while queuing to get in. They stuck for too long to the worn out old formula of static automobiles doing nothing and going nowhere, in spite of warring makers suffering from “mine is bigger than yours” syndrome and blowing untold millions on their monumental, blingy, gin palace-like stands. customers blocked by roped-off areas, glass walls, and booted-and-suited bouncers were another nail in the coffin.
Geneva motor show to launch Qatar exhibition in 2022
But it’s not all bad news. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the British motor Show, reborn last August, when it occupied the Farnborough exhibition halls and adjacent grounds. lots of people – me included – were pleasantly shocked by larger-than-expected crowds, limitless drive and ride opportunities, stunt shows and dozens of other activities created to entertain, inform and educate. now the organiser has confirmed it’ll return to Farnborough for at least the next four years, from August 2022. There’s 30 per cent a lot more space for exhibitors, a predicted 49-per cent rise in visitor numbers, but zero increase in ticket prices.
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