My Interview of the Managing Director (designated) of the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS)

For the Swiss business media l’Agefi, I interviewed Olivier Rihs, Managing Director (as from July 2019) of the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS).

The 89th edition of the GIMS will take place between March 7 and 17, 2019. It is probably the most important event in the Geneva region. The organisers expect 660,000 visitors, 900 cars exposed, 150 world and European premieres as well as 10,000 journalists. Statements made by Olivier Rihs included:

• This year, the GIMS will welcome 40 new exhibitors.
• Our main competitors are the car shows in Frankfurt and Paris. There are currently five car shows in Europe but I think that in the end there will only be room for two car shows.
• From 2020, we will offer the opportunity to offer virtual visits of our show. Naturally, we will also collect general data -- that is, without revealing the identity of visitors -- on this virtual traffic and make this information available to exhibitors.
• Another idea that we will try to put in place in 2020 is to allow visitors to test new cars. Because of the lack of space, it will not be easy but it would offer real added value, especially for new technologies such as electric cars.
• The big car brands from emerging markets are important to us. Among our new exhibitors this year, we will be hosting the Chinese company Arcfox. I think it is quite conceivable that Chinese brands become strongly present in Europe.
• The automotive world is changing rapidly, particularly in four directions: electrification, autonomy, connectivity and car sharing. As a result, not only automotive suppliers but also technology suppliers (Google, Uber, etc.) are gaining more and more weight in the automotive industry and, as a result, they are more important for GIMS.
• It is important to offer both pragmatic information to visitors and to make them dream. Visitors should enjoy our show like a concert.

The interview will be published tomorrow but is already available online (free access after viewing a 15-second ad): link.

@PhilippeMonnier