Paris motor show to return in 2022

Organisers of the Paris motor show have confirmed the biannual French event will return in 2022 following a four-year absence.

Traditionally held on alternating years with sister event the Frankfurt motor show, the Paris event last ran in 2018.

Like so many motor shows since, the 2020 running was abandoned due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

For 2022, show organisers have confirmed a full-scale return in partnership with Equip Auto, a well-known automotive trade event company. The pair will hold the event over October 17-23 next year.

As usual, the physical show will be held at the Paris Expo venue at Porte de Versailles in the south-west of the city. Additionally, there will be a digital platform offering remote access to French and international visitors.

It is hoped that partnering the events will offer benefits to both consumer and trade-oriented companies, the latter through aftersales and connected mobility services.

Organisers of the Paris show are yet to confirm which car-makers will be holding exhibitions or stands. Many automotive brands have retreated from traditional motor shows in favour of standalone events or digital marketing strategies.

The coronavirus pandemic has forced something of a rethink on the motor show format. When the Detroit motor show was cancelled again this year, North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) officials merged it into a smaller six-day event to be known as Motor Bella.

Held entirely outdoors, Motor Bella is set to take place in September as “a bridge to the future” of the NAIAS, according to a statement by the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, which runs the Motown show.

While China’s Shanghai motor show was held in April and the Chicago show took place last week, New York is set to host North America’s first international motor show in two years on August 20, before Europe’s next IAA auto expo will take place not in Frankfurt but Munich this September.