Fewer exhibitors, fewer visitors, less sense. The auto trade fair as a meeting point and a magnet for the public. In Geneva, the hangover of an industry in transition.
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Cloudy mood at the auto salon
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Little bit of a celebratory mood at the Geneva auto salon
Auto shows are always the same: hordes of journalists and people who somehow got press accreditation, press on the same day as the latest models and the nose flat. In addition to the novelties of pretty women smile with short skirts, in uncomfortable shoes. Some of the mainly male journalists look at some point still on the cars and report about it. As the decades was long. Also last year in Geneva.
But this old world is history. The Models are gone this year, largely, for the first time, the public debate has arrived in the old PS-world in which women and cars belong together, such as in slippery calendars for oily wrench-workshops. Or only the money is missing?
A discontinued model – hostess, posing in front of large sedan
Fair? Online Configurator!
But the upheaval of over a hundred years of car-industry, not only in such Details. In Geneva, the beginning is felt from the end of the Institution of the auto industry, which already seemed like a long time from the time, like a relic from vordigitaler time, where roving Reporter with a thick cigar hacked your reports from Geneva in the typewriter, while the photographer developed the photos. At that time, the father went with the son to the fair and informed for the next car purchase. Today, the Older configure, even among us, in the past, perhaps so, your new car online.
Some auto dealerships have made, for this reason, dense. Similarly, it will be in the car to measure, since most of the insiders are here in Geneva to agree. Detroit, the first event of the year for the industry, will be laid in the summer. The size of the competition by always, shortly afterwards, to be held the end of the technology fair CES in Las Vegas, on of the major car manufacturers of modern work, as on the dusty motor show in Motown. The engines have lost in the fight against electronics in the USA.
VW is not in Frankfurt???
The other places are: In Paris, the halls prevailed in many trade fair last September, yawning Emptiness. At least 15 automobile brands will not come in this year at the IAA in Frankfurt, including big names such as Toyota. BMW reduced its exhibition space in Frankfurt from 11,000 to 3000 square meters. Volkswagen should have cancelled the IAA participation initially, but, as you can hear, but not be retuned to the IAA a death blow.
A current picture from the Geneva auto salon: recently, unthinkable…
On the Volkswagen Stand here in Geneva, most of the staff on Tuesday morning early; all were calculated in the usual trade fair jam, alone: it gave him. A whole range of manufacturers such as Ford, Volvo and Opel are missing, who is still in the process saves costly to Arrive by employees from Overseas, inclusive of the excessive hotel rates – the fair is comparatively empty.
Behind the decline of the car-to measure more than the Online sales configurators or the digital age, where you have to reach journalists more effective and, above all, cheaper but can be used as a trade-fair appearance for a few million Euro.
Volvo with the speed-brake
In view of the duration of congestion, shortage of Parking spaces and exhaust debate of the individual transport changed fundamentally. The time of the speeders, the cars as a status symbol, is over. Even if you don’t want to understand, in Germany many. Volvo announced in time for the fair audience effectively, limit all cars to 180 km/h maximum speed. Most of the manufacturers are not there yet, but the tag long ago.
A E-Scooter: For the last mile
A Mercedes staff says to us, his employers change from the classic car manufacturer to a modern mobility service provider. To come on the economically and ecologically most favourable route from A to B as comfortably and quickly, this was the customer request, to meet.
Therefore, the offer of many manufacturers of bicycles, small scooters or Skateboards with E-grown drive for the last mile. But how to get the brand feeling? Difficult Task. But exciting. After the year-long exhaust has a playful fraud in the industry is your credibility even among die-hard car fans, and now the audience looks like they re-invented.
And even when the fair is on in contagion: There are also positive signals from Geneva. For the first time an electric car has been selected with the Jaguar I-Pace for Europe’s car of the year. In addition, all of the car can be reassured fans: Breathtaking Design and cars that you want to have immediately, there are still. Also with electric drive. The interesting question is only, whether you buy them in the future – or just about a car-sharing leases. At car shows you can do without.