Crisis in Europe; Crisis at Bologna Motor Show –Report

Today, the 37th edition of Bologna Motor Show opened its doors to the public (yesterday for the Press). But this year the motor show is different.

Much different! And when I’m saying “different” I’m talking about a lot of empty spaces, and for the first time, for an auto show like this one – second hand vehicles!

Only one European premiere – the new Renault Clio Sports Toured. And maybe neither this one is new because the 2013 Renault Clio was unveiled two months ago in Paris.

However, the organizers are saying that this year’s event defies crisis, with a winning formula. Who knows what formula is in this combination? But one thing is clear:

This year’s motor show is at under 50% level of what it was years ago …

Everything that looks new for the organizers is actually old or even very old. For example at the Mercedes stand we find the new A-Class. But the 2012 A Class was unveiled in March at Geneva Motor Show. Opel comes with the little Adam; again – unveiled for the first time in September. True, at VW we are pleased to see the new Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet (Maggiolino for Italians) which was presented for the first time last week at Los Angeles. Yes this one is almost new and for the first time presented in Europe.

But there is no Audi, BMW, Land Rover, Jaguar or Toyota… No Ferrari no Lamborghini. Ohhh, no, wait a minute. There are. One Ferrari, one Lamborghini and one Maserati. Total area for these three supercars: ~ 25 square meters.

But again, in QuotidianoNazionale newspaper GiadaMichetti, CEO at GL events Italia SpA, the company that is behind the motor show is telling us that “ tuttoilmeglio del Salone di Parigi e qui sotto gliocchi del public italiano” – ‘the best from Paris is here for the Italian public.’ Really?

Where is the Jaguar F-Type, Audi S3, Volvo V40 Cross Country, the Mercedes SLS AMG Electric Drive or the new Range Rover? ( MiniPaceman, Audi S3, and many more … )

Ok, so it’s 12 PM and we are moving to the Press Center. Inside we find a nice area, and about 30 journalists. After 1 minute of rest, I’m trying to find a CAT5 cable to connect my laptop to the internet. There is none… strange. I’m looking at my left side… nobody connected by cable. Humm. No problem, maybe there is wireless internet access. I go to the central office to ask for the password. The answer: si ma e a pagamento! Yes but you have to pay… Say what?

Anyway, for better understanding here are some numbers:
2007 – Introductions: 21 vehicles
2008 – Introductions: 6 vehicles
2010: Introductions: 6 vehiles
2012: 2 vehicles …

Therefore question is: what will happen next year? No more Bologna Motor Show? Possible unfortunately…
*data: wikipedia.com

Best from the show: