2021 Geneva International Motor Show Canceled As Organizers Seek New Owner

The 2021 Geneva International Motor Show is canceled as event organizers seek a new owner for the largest public event in Switzerland.

Following the 2020 Geneva International Motor Show’s cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 event has suffered the same fate as the Committee and Council of the Foundation “Salon International de l’Automobile” has decided not to proceed with organizing the event.

Although it’s possible travel restrictions will be lifted by next year, in a survey taken by organizers of GIMS exhibitors, a majority of auto manufacturers indicated they would not be likely to participate in a 2021 event.

Instead, auto manufacturers would prefer to defer to 2022, with the GIMS committee saying, “The automotive sector is currently going through a difficult phase, and exhibitors need time to recover from the effects of the pandemic.

Financial issues also contribute to the decision after the sudden cancellation of the 2020 event only days before it was due to commence. Left in the lurch, GIMS was looking at huge losses and needed an estimated 11 million CHF to cover the losses and prepare a new show.

While the State of Geneva offered a loan of CHF 16.8 million to assist (conditional on a 2021 event going ahead), the GIMS committee ultimately declined, citing an inability to make the first repayment of CHF 1 million by June 2021 in the absence of a 2021 Geneva Motor Show.

Instead, organizers are looking to sell the rights to the Geneva International Motor Show to Palexpo SA, the exhibition and trade convention center owned by the canton of Geneva, where the automotive show takes place each year.

As the largest public event in Switzerland, the Geneva Motor Show reportedly brings in over $211 million to the local economy. The Foundation Salon International de l’Automobile” are hoping it will be able to continue under new ownership.