The Ins And Outs Of The 2023 Geneva Auto Show Exhibition Opened In Qatar Today

The Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) 2023 is officially open. (Doc. GIMS)

JAKARTA - The 2023 Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) officially opens today, October 5. This automotive exhibition in the world is again held after three years of absence due to the pandemic and the difference is this time the exhibition is held in Qatar.

It is known, in 2021, the country will sign a ten-year agreement with GIMS organizers to hold this 118-year-old event every two years starting from 2023.

The exhibition, which lasted until October 14, was attended by 30 automotive manufacturers ranging from luxury car brands such as Lamborghini and McLaren to the world's two largest manufacturers Toyota and Volkswagen.

"GIMS is excited to expand its legacy in the automotive industry in the Middle East, exploring beyond Geneva for the first time," said Sandro Mesquita, chief executive officer of the automotive event, quoted from Autonews, October 5.

He also added that this event will bridge the gap between the automotive industry in the West and East.

Meanwhile, Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji, deputy chairman of Qatar Tourism, said that hosting a major globally recognized event like this automotive exhibition is part of a strategic vision to become the fastest-growing destination in the Middle East by 2030.

Previously, it was known that the biggest event ever held by Qatar was the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This automotive exhibition will coincide with the Qatar Formula One Grand Prix which will be held at the Lusail International Circuit on Sunday.

Now back to the show, apart from big names in the automotive world, there are several other manufacturers worth waiting for. California-based Lucid Group, for example, which has just opened a factory in Saudi Arabia, is expected to showcase a new edition of its electric car, Lucid Air and it is not yet known whether its Gravity SUV will also appear.

Vinfast Auto, founded by Vietnam's richest man, Pham Nhat Vuong, also participated, along with Silk, a luxury brand of hybrids and electric vehicles less well-known from China's FAW Group and Silk EV Italy.

Mercedes-Benz distributors in Qatar will also launch a lineup of luxury electric cars, a milestone in the country's journey towards sustainable mobility.

But unfortunately, two electric vehicle market leaders such as Tesla and BYD are absent. The two companies did not respond to the organizer's invitation.