Geneva Motor Show Skips Planned Swiss Event, Holds Qatar World Premiere

Originally planned as two editions, the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) 2023 has cancelled its Swiss event and will be held exclusively in Qatar, committee and foundation board members of the “Comité permanent du Salon international de l'automobile de Genève” recently announced “with regret.”

“Due to the uncertainties in the global economy and geopolitics, as well as the risks related to the development of the pandemic,” organizers will focus on planning the Doha event in 2023, said Maurice Turettini, president of the foundation “Comité permanent du Salon international de l'automobile de Genève.”

The initial plan was to hold GIMS 2023 in two editions, the first February 14-19 at Palexpo in Geneva, and the second – a world premiere – in November in Doha, Qatar. The Geneva auto exposition traces its beginnings to 1905.

"We have done everything possible to ensure that we could host GIMS 2023 in Geneva in February. The enhanced event format and project had been very well received. But in the end, the risks overweighed the opportunities," said Turettini.

“In these uncertain times, many brands are not in a position to commit to participating in a show in Europe in the winter,” explained Sandro Mesquita, CEO of GIMS.

The inaugural GIMS Qatar will take place in November 2023 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center and several other venues and will offer “many unique and spectacular driving experiences,” according to organizers. The Qatar event is scheduled to take place every two years.