Wednesday 25th August 2021

Qatar Geneva International Motor Show set for 2022

You read that right - a Geneva motor show in the Middle East is coming as soon as next year

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The Geneva motor show has existed as a focal point in the automotive calendar for decades now; alongside events like Le Mans and the British Grand Prix, its absence has been keenly felt for the past couple of years. So, for 2022, GIMS - the Geneva International Motor Show - will run not once, but twice. Firstly in Switzerland in February, then in Qatar in either the autumn or early 2023. Yes, really.

That's not a show purporting to be like GIMS in the Middle East, either, but an officially sanctioned Geneva motor show. In Doha. So that means its title will be the Qatar Geneva International Motor Show, which should keep the signmakers happy. Following the inaugural expo in 2022 or 2023, it's set to run every other year at the Doha Exhibition & Convention Centre. The organisers are promising a show that "will stand out as an essential calendar event for exhibitors and car lovers from around the globe."

Which is all well and good, but those wondering why a Geneva show might happen more than 3,000 miles from Switzerland aren't alone. The losses from not running Europe's flagship motor show in 2020 and 2021 may well have contributed to the decision, the support from Qatar Tourism surely welcome in tough times. Officially though the justification is as follows: "This collaboration is considered a natural fit for a new progressive show, given that GIMS has been pioneering the automotive space since 1905... and that Qatar stands out globally for its outstanding experience offer and infrastructural capabilities."

The appeal for Qatar is obvious; as part of its National Vision 2030, it wants to diversify its tourism offering. See next year's football World Cup, for example. The motor show should complement that event, aiming to attract car fans from all over the globe to a destination they might not typically choose to visit. Moreover, the Doha is said to be just a six-hour flight from 80 per cent of the global population. So you've got that to look forward to.

Qatar Tourism's Chairman, His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker, added: "We're pleased to partner with the highly distinguished Geneva International Motor Show and look forward to a collaborative relationship to bring this eminent event to our shores."

For now, an official date hasn't been set for GIMS in the Gulf, with the organisers suggesting that "fans will need to exercise patience while GIMS accelerates to Doha behind the scenes." We're told to expect a date in the next few weeks, with a reveal of the "full concept" expected during the next Geneva motor show, which takes place from February 19th to 27th next year. In Geneva.

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• BMW M5 CS | PH Review

[Beefmeister]

Geneva Show won't exist past 2022, they've struggled to even get that one going.

And given the complete disregard for human rights in Qatar i won't be attending that one.

[rampageturke]

More attempts by these countries to wash their image clean of their abuses. And the press oblige.

[dunnoreally]

Makes sense. As the noose tightens around petrol power, manufacturers need to court those markets where it will remain an option, regardless of the morality of their governments.

[Truckosaurus]

I suspect it is more of a case of Qatar paying manufacturers to attend rather than them being charged by the existing shows.

In this day of social media you don't need actual punters to turn up in the flesh.

[PhantomPH]

Surely you would call it something else? Does the use of 'Geneva' as a brand really come with that much kudos when it comes to motor shows?

How about "The Quatar Motor Expo"? Send the royalty cheque to my home address, please.

[GR_WILL]

“ Qatar Tourism's Chairman, His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker, added..”

His excellency? What’s that all about? Seems a strange thing for PH journalist to write.

[FlukePlay]

How many people died (or didn't get paid) building the exhibition hall/venue? That's grim but you are all aware of the working conditions building the World Cup stadia/venues.

If this Qatar Geneva show is scheduled for Autumn 2022 then that will coincide with the World Cup which makes economic sense.

Edited by FlukePlay on Wednesday 25th August 16:11

[griffdude]

Qatar closely ranks behind Afghanistan in the countries I’ve really not enjoyed going to.

[Beefmeister]

GR_WILL said:

“ Qatar Tourism's Chairman, His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker, added..”

His excellency? What’s that all about? Seems a strange thing for PH journalist to write.

Probably because it's his official title. Much like when here we call people 'The Right Honorable' - that sounds odd out of context.

[Oso]

PH don’t you have a rudimentary understanding of how they abuse human rights in Qatar? You should be condemning this. I hope the industry boycotts it.

[dibblecorse]

Oso said:

PH don’t you have a rudimentary understanding of how they abuse human rights in Qatar? You should be condemning this. I hope the industry boycotts it.

Obviously not and of course they won't, the ME market is hugely profitable, they want all these events in the ME, F1, MotoGP etc etc ......

Moral high ground will not be taken.

[Jon_S_Rally]

Oso said:

PH don’t you have a rudimentary understanding of how they abuse human rights in Qatar? You should be condemning this. I hope the industry boycotts it.

Is it the purpose of PH to make political statements, or to report on automotive news? They have said that a motor show is happening in Qatar. They haven't said they are going, or that we should go.

[the-sharpener]

I hear on the rumour mill that BMW are thinking of binning the small discrete kidney grills in favour of something larger to appeal to the locals

[rodericb]

GR_WILL said:

“ Qatar Tourism's Chairman, His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker, added..”

His excellency? What’s that all about? Seems a strange thing for PH journalist to write.

It's a trap!

[Wololo]

Qatar stands out globally for its outstanding experience offer and infrastructural capabilities.

Loosely translated as "we can't think of a good thing to say about the place but they're paying us loads of money so let's make something up".

I mean, "experience offer". I've never heard such meaningless corporate garbage in my life.

[Esceptico]

griffdude said:

Qatar closely ranks behind Afghanistan in the countries I’ve really not enjoyed going to.

I thought you were going to write that Qatar is closely behind Afghanistan when it comes to human rights.

Wasn’t Blatter still around when the World Cup was won (bought) by Qatar.

The Swiss like to think they are the best but can’t dispute that when it comes to hypocrisy and turning a blind eye when money is involved.

[whp1983]

Agree with sentiments above…. But Qatar aren’t only ones… bit of inconsistency.

Not many say similar about Chinese shows or cars…. And when a new EV is made again not many say great car shame about the kids in DRC.

All about the dollars and the fast showy stuff sells well there.

[Sandpit Steve]

Of course they’re going to the Middle East. Where do we think the car sales are going to be, when European governments are determined to have us all driving electric appliances within the next decade?

Dubai and Doha will be next year’s biggest motor shows.

[Davy Jones]

Not for me thanks. Not that Country anyway.

[anonymous-user]

Switzerland, turning a blind eye since 1848.
The perfect blend of countries and event for vacuous "influencers" to post their (fully expensed) gushing experience on social media.
Can't see many large scale manufacturers heading to this one at their own expense.