Car exhibitions in the Western countries are experiencing a significant decline. The changing trends in the automotive industry are evident in the struggles faced by hoteliers in Geneva. In the past, securing accommodation during the city’s annual motor show was a challenge, with rooms being booked a year in advance at exorbitant rates. However, this year, there was an abundance of available rooms, casting doubt on the organizers’ expectations of 200,000 visitors. The event, which was once a must-attend for car manufacturers and attracted over 700,000 attendees, was sparsely attended, mainly by journalists. The participating companies were limited, with one car executive noting the dominance of “China, China, China, and Renault.” They occupied less than a quarter of the previous floor space.
The decline in car events is not unique to Geneva. Both the Frankfurt and Paris shows, which used to be Europe’s major annual exhibitions, have significantly downsized. The Paris event in 2022 was a mere shadow of its former self, while the German show moved to Munich and became smaller. In both cases, domestic companies were overshadowed by Chinese rivals such as BYD and Great Wall Motor.
Even America’s premier car event in Detroit has experienced a decline in participation. Despite a scheduling shift to the summer months, interest has not been revived, leading to a decision to revert to its winter date in 2025. The changing nature of cars, with a focus on software and technology, has made events like the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas more appealing showcases for manufacturers.
2024-02-29 09:01:19
Post from www.economist.com