German marques skip Geneva
Some industry big hitters have decided against taking part in 2024’s Geneva International Motor Show, which is returning after a four-year hiatus.
Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW will not have a presence at the event, according to media outlets in Europe.
“After careful consideration, Mercedes-Benz will not participate,” says a company spokesman. A statement from Audi notes: “We won’t be there in 2024, but this is not a general decision against Geneva.”
BMW, meanwhile, is reorganising its event-marketing activities in a “social first” approach that will make more use of social-media platforms and live-streaming.
A spokesperson explains: “We have added our own new formats, such as NextGen, while phasing out some existing formats. This includes appearances in Geneva, Paris and Detroit. That’s why we won’t be in Geneva in 2024.”
The VW passenger car brand will also not be represented in Switzerland, a spokesman confirms, while Stellantis’ brands – including Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat and Opel – are unlikely to be there.
Renault says it will take part in next year’s Geneva and Paris shows, along with all major motor shows in the regions where the group operates.
Next year’s event in Geneva, which runs from February 26 to March 3, is scheduled to take place for the first time since it was chaotically cancelled at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 just days before it was due to open. Organisers are in contact with about 20 Chinese brands and hope two-thirds of them will exhibit.
