Revived Geneva Motor Show Comes to Life for 2024

After an absence of four years, the Geneva International Motor Show made its return to the international stage with a press preview day that included fourteen press conferences introducing ten world premiere vehicles.

The pandemic canceled the 2020 Geneva show only hours before it opened and the resulting costs nearly ended the show. An infusion of cash from Qatar means that now there’s an affiliated show in Doha that was held last year. But Geneva reopened this year and has another show on the schedule for 2025, so hopefully the once-favorite show can regain its stature in the industry.

This was normally the place to debut exotic supercars, and while coachbuilder Pininfarina was on hand, this year’s crop of introductions was mostly more mainstream models. Europe was led by Renault, which showed a concept car and had several models from its Dacia budget brand on display. The Chinese were out in force, with debuts from BYD and SAIC Motor’s MG brand.

“GIMS 2024 represents a totally new way of holding a motor show,” said Sandro Mesquita, CEO of the Geneva International Motor Show. “It is more focused and collaborative than ever before, with each of our exhibitors bringing something unique and adding to the visitor experience. This includes bespoke immersive experiences, high-level thought-leadership from those at the top of their game, and the world premieres that visitors expect from the Geneva International Motor Show.”

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That sounds like a promising foundation, but Geneva won’t be the same until we see the likes of Koenigsegg, Rimac, and Pagani have returned to their natural places at the show and guests are surging at the velvet rope around the Ferrari exhibit. For now, enjoy this year’s crop of debuts in our slide show.