Geneva International Motor Show moves permanently to Qatar

After serving for over a century as a major launchpad for automakers to introduce their newest models and concepts, the organizers of the Geneva International Motor Show have decided to discontinue the iconic event in Switzerland.

First staged in 1905, the Geneva International Motor Show has been a mainstay in the global automotive industry throughout its many changes. But after four years of interruption brought about by the pandemic, as well as dwindling interest and tough market conditions in Europe, the iconic motor show failed to recapture its appeal to both spectators and exhibitors when the show returned to Geneva in 2024.

It also didn’t help that Geneva had to compete with shows in Paris and Munich that are growing in popularity, as well as the ones in Beijing & Shanghai.

"However, it has to be said that the lack of interest shown by manufacturers in the Geneva Salon in a difficult industry context, the competition from the Paris and Munich shows which are favored by their domestic industry, and the investment levels required to maintain such a show, sound the final blow for a future edition," said Alexandre de Senarclens, president of the Comité permanent du Salon International de l'Automobile Foundation.

Technically, this indeed marks the end of the Geneva International Motor Show, but its legacy will live on as an event is set to take place in Qatar under the same name in 2025.

“For its upcoming festival dedicated to automotive excellence, and following a successful inaugural edition, GIMS Qatar can confidently rely on the proven expertise and capabilities of the teams that conceived and executed the concept,” said Sandro Mesquita, GIMS CEO.

GIMS Qatar will be held in Doha from November 27 to December 6, 2025.