Chip or Energy Crisis? War in Ukraine? Climate activist threats? The Swiss auto industry doesn’t let the weather ruin it and celebrates at the 35th Auto Zurich.
At 6 p.m., there’s a big hustle and bustle as invited VIP guests flock to the showrooms at the pre-opening party. After the cancellation of the Geneva Motor Show in 2022 and 2023, they are at least happy that Auto Zürich is taking place as usual.
54 brands – record!
“It was not easy to set up a trade fair this year,” admits organizer Karl Bieri (73). Together with his wife Doris and new general manager Ines Nageli (55), he managed to attract at least 54 exhibitors to Zurich. Record!
The mood among the invited guests, as well as many celebrities and representatives of all existing car brands, is exuberant. People are happy to toast their colleagues and old acquaintances, and forget for a moment what has been a difficult year for the automotive industry.
At the Subaru booth, we meet an extremely relaxed Bernhard Russi, 74 – the next morning, he’s going mountaineering in Patagonia. Russi gives everything for the photo and sleeps in the roof tent of the Subaru Forester Probe. “So I can get used to sleeping in a tent. After all, for the next few weeks, I too will be sleeping outdoors in the mountains.” When asked which auto show he likes more – the fourth canceled Geneva Motor Show or Auto Zurich – Russi doesn’t have to think twice: “Obviously Zurich! This place is more authentic. Cars are more of a focus and not as exciting as in Geneva.”
like a family reunion
Unlike Bernhard Russi, musician and Subaru ambassador Eliane Müller (32) and Peugeot ambassador Ditaji Kambundji (20) are at Auto Zurich for the first time. But you are affected by the mega event. Müller: “It’s like a family gathering: I met so many people I haven’t seen in a long time.”
His fellow musician Baschi (36) who has been contracted as a Ford ambassador for years is already looking forward to Auto Zurich: “Here I can also see what Ford’s competition has to offer – or not,” Basler says with a wink.
Finally we meet the snake woman Nina Burri (45): “My friend is an absolute car fan who can give me lots of details about models everywhere. What I didn’t know is that there are some very cool vintage cars here too!” Auto Zurich – a trade fair for all car enthusiasts. It will also be open to the public at the trade fair from Thursday.