Last turn off the light

After the Paris Motor Show, one thing is clear: the days of mega-car shows are over. The trend towards a reduction in the number of exhibitors and the emptying of halls is not new. But those who still see the causes in the coronavirus pandemic, disrupted supply chains and rising prices for raw materials and energy are mistaken.

Even if Renault CEO Luca de Meo emphasizes: “We love car dealerships!”, he is more or less alone. The fact is that the auto industry is largely no longer interested in the mass performances of the past. She prefers to present her innovations digitally and in a targeted way rather than shouting them out to the public from the stages of the fair. Example: Peugeot announces the Inception concept car in Paris but doesn’t show it yet! “We need undivided attention,” says CEO Linda Jackson.

The decline of major shows is also an indicator of changes in the automotive industry: some brands have long thought they were out of the realm of the masses. If, for example, Mercedes wants to focus only on luxury in the future and wants to exclude base models that sell well today, if some electric vehicles are only sold online and in the future they will become more expensive than cheaper: then an exclusive event for customers will become more important than general public.

The need for information is greater than ever before. Electromobility and networking of cars raise questions. This is an opportunity for regional trade fairs where manufacturers and dealers are closer to the public. Auto Zurich in November should show it.