The organizer of the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS), Comité permanent du Salon international de l’automobile has recently announced the postponement of the event to 2023. The event was postponed due to the industry-wide issues that is directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the February 2022 event has been cancelled, steps have already been taken to improve the platform and it will continue to be implemented to be able to create a more impactful show come 2023.
The best interests of both the car manufacturers and the automotive fans were at the forefront with regards to the decision to cancel GIMS 2022. The organizers were left with no alternative due to the direct and indirect issues that were plaguing the event due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The direct issues that the organizers had to face were the continued travel restrictions that visitors, journalists, and international exhibitors had to face. Some of the indirect issues brought by the pandemic include the semiconductor shortage, which has given car manufacturers new issues that they would have to prioritize and resolve first. The said issues ended with recent cancellations to the event, so the organizers have decided to formally confirm and announce the postponement of the event.
Comité permanent du Salon international de l’automobile President Maurice Turrettini shared, “We have pushed very hard and tried everything to reactivate the Geneva International Motor Show in 2022. 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.”
Geneva International Motor Show CEO Sandro Mesquita stated, “Many exhibitors have indicated that the uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic make it impossible for them to make a firm commitment for GIMS 2022. 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. In these uncertain times, many brands are therefore unable to make a commitment to participate in a trade fair that would have taken place in just over four months. When considering all the factors, it became clear that it was necessary to postpone the show, and to announce the news sooner than later to avoid cancelling at short notice.”
The excitement over the new GIMS platform has been building up for the past several months as it promised to engage more people all over the world with its new digital ecosystem, providing an overall enhanced experience. The platform is still being processed to carry it to its full potential for the 2023 event.
The Geneva International Motor Show is a much awaited annual even by automotive enthusiasts since well-respected marques normally reserve the prestigious event to launch their latest sports cars and supercars.
