Geneva Motor Show Postponed till 2023

The Geneva Motor Show will not take place in 2022, according to its organisers, who cited “problems linked to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic” in a news release. In 2023, they plan to regroup and host a “more impactful” event. 

The most recent GIMS was in 2019, and the 2020 show was abruptly cancelled two weeks before the event was set to begin because to the global pandemic. It was postponed once more in 2021, but some were optimistic that it will happen in 2022. While gather limitations have been abolished in a number of countries, including Switzerland, this cancellation was brought about by the industry. 

In a statement published on the website, CEO of the Geneva International Motor Show, Sandro Mesquita indicated COVID-19 was only part of the problem, “On top of this is the negative impact that the current shortage of semiconductors has on car manufacturers. The chip crisis is likely to drag on well into next year, with negative financial implications for OEMs (original equipment manufacturers). 

The event was supposed to happen in February of next year. Despite recent events in Chicago and Detroit, the decision was made to discontinue the New York International Auto Show in 2021, which was slated for late August. 

“We have pushed very hard and tried everything to reactivate the Geneva International Motor Show in 2022,” said Maurice Turrettini, president of the Comité permanent du Salon international de l’automobile, which organizes the event.  “Despite all our efforts, we have to face the facts and the reality: the pandemic situation is not under control and presents itself as a big threat for a large indoor event like GIMS. But we see this decision as a postponement, rather than a cancellation. I am confident that the Geneva International Motor Show will come back stronger than ever in 2023.” 

GIMS is the starting point for a number of innovative technologies and vehicles. Every year, it attracts about 600,000 tourists and more than 10,000 journalists. It is, without a doubt, the automotive world’s epicentre.