“Ultimate festival of automotive excellence” Qatar 2023

[dalab]

Very interesting for several reasons, just days after the IAA (which if it is like the last one is quite weak), here instead it promises to be in full swing, these Arab countries are doing things well, positioning themselves touristically and taking advantage of the World Cup, like to keep an eye on...

Geneva motor show boss reveals plans for Qatar offshoot
Called GIMS Qatar, it is expected to attract 200,000 visitors; Geneva also confirmed to return next year

Geneva motor show boss reveals plans for Qatar offshoot | Autocar

Called GIMS Qatar, it is expected to attract 200,000 visitors; Geneva also confirmed to return next year

www.autocar.co.uk

 

[SCOTT27]

The offshoot would probably be well received. European shows were killed off generally by Covid 19 and then continuous environmental water melon protests.
They don’t have such protests there because there are consequences. The same goes for Russia,India and China the key countries that contribute more to climate change than any other country.

IAA 2021 is looked on as the “appeasement” show. It was to showcase mobility in its most sustainable forms.
(Not just cars) It was to appease the environmentalists and their followers. However There was no appeasement but it did illustrate that their objectives were far more deeper than wanting manufacturers to adapting the concept of electric mobility.

Geneva in March was always a highlight.
Hotels were fully booked by manufacturers and other exhibitors. Prices were escalated across the board for hotel rooms.
The bars and restaurants were jumping with even more international clientele as they normally have in Geneva and it’s many institutions.

Being in Geneva last March was depressing. The marketing splash not just by the event organisers but also the manufacturers was gone, the international visitors were gone and the hotels were practically empty.

Geneva was also the only yearly event in the Calendar. It’s financial hit from its three year hiatus was hugely significant.

Now it’s all about the Digital age. Can a reinvented Geneva bring back the pre-covid international audience?

 

[dalab]

Now it’s all about the Digital age. Can a reinvented Geneva bring back the pre-covid international audience?

I estimate and I think that surely yes, things are finally back to normal, people want to travel, want to go out, it will be a party

 

[Matski]

Weren't motorshows in decline well before Covid anyway?

 

[dalab]

Weren't motorshows in decline well before Covid anyway?

Yes, I think that a number of factors influenced that, it may have been a "bad cycle", they had declined a bit for two years prior to the covid, the explosive mass viewing on the internet was there, when people watch it on YouTube and the manufacturers see that it is cheaper to present them digitally, I don't know if these senseless protests had something to do with it too.

But I see this in Qatar and it excites me, I see people with renewed energy who believe and will take advantage of the situation.
I hope that it was only momentary and that logic triumphs, there is nothing like participating in person in a great event like this when they are well done, not like what they did in Munich

 

[Matski]

But I see this in Qatar and it excites me, I see people with renewed energy who believe and will take advantage of the situation.

Well, we've done the issues with Qatar in the World Cup thread, but I'd rather watch Supercar Blondie and Schmeeeeeeeeeee videos alternately for 48 hours straight than get excited about going to Qatar, and in fairness to Qatar I probably wouldn't even bother if it were London. These days I just don't perceive that environment as being the best way to experience or show off cars to the masses...

... of course, with somewhere like Qatar, it's got nothing to do with the masses, and everything to do with money.

there is nothing like participating in person in a great event like this when they are well done

I agree if there's something to experience, that's why I love Goodwood, but an expensive trade show... not so much.

 

[dalab]

I probably wouldn't even bother if it were London. These days I just don't perceive that environment as being the best way to experience or show off cars to the masses...

... of course, with somewhere like Qatar, it's got nothing to do with the masses, and everything to do with money.

Yes, I didn't say it so much to visit Qatar, but because it can serve to enhance the shows in other old and new places, which pulls the events as such and I agree that it is intriguing if it will be something for "them" or more for the masses touristically speaking, I think the latter, (I calculate that they are bored of always seeing the same faces among themselves)