This article highlights the most important trade fairs in the Automotive & Transportation sector in Europe, providing insights into their locations, product showcases, and key organizers. These events serve as vital platforms for industry leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts to connect and explore the latest advancements in automotive technology, design, and mobility solutions.
A Brief Overview of the Automotive and Transportation Sector
The European automotive and transportation sector has been a driving force in global innovation for over a century. From renowned car manufacturers to cutting-edge technology developers, the industry plays a pivotal role in shaping mobility solutions for the future.
Automotive and Transportation Industry in Europe
The European automotive and transportation industry is currently undergoing a period of significant transformation, driven by trends such as electrification, autonomous driving, connectivity, and shared mobility. These trends are reshaping the industry landscape and creating new opportunities for innovation.
Europe’s Most Important Automotive and Transportation Fairs
Europe is home to numerous prestigious automotive and transportation trade shows that attract global attention. Here are ten of the most influential exhibitions in this dynamic sector.
1- IAA Mobility – Munich, Germany
IAA Mobility is one of the world’s leading trade shows for mobility, showcasing the latest trends and innovations in the automotive and transportation industries.
- Date of foundation: 1897 (originally in Berlin, moved to Frankfurt in 1951, and then to Munich in 2021)
- Period: Every two years, usually in September
- Attendance and visit figures for the last fair: Over 400,000 visitors and 700 exhibitors in 2021
- Country, city, venues of the fair: Munich, Germany, Messe München
- Product and service groups within the scope of the fair: Passenger cars, commercial vehicles, electric mobility, autonomous driving, connected cars, urban mobility solutions, and more.
- Organiser of the Fair: Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA)
2- Geneva International Motor Show – Geneva, Switzerland
The Geneva International Motor Show is renowned for its tradition of showcasing world premieres of new car models and concept cars.
- Date of foundation: 1905
- Period: Annually in March (currently on hold, with plans to relaunch in 2024)
- Attendance and visit figures for the last fair: Over 600,000 visitors in 2019 (last edition before the pandemic)
- Country, city, venues of the fair: Geneva, Switzerland, Palexpo
- Product and service groups within the scope of the fair: Passenger cars, concept cars, luxury vehicles, automotive design, automotive technology, and more.
- Organiser of the Fair: Fondation Salon International de l’Automobile Genève
3- Paris Motor Show – Paris, France
The Paris Motor Show is another major international automotive exhibition, alternating its focus between passenger cars and commercial vehicles.
- Date of foundation: 1898
- Period: Every two years, usually in October
- Attendance and visit figures for the last fair: Over 1 million visitors and 245 brands in 2018 (last edition for passenger cars)
- Country, city, venues of the fair: Paris, France, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles
- Product and service groups within the scope of the fair: Passenger cars, concept cars, motorcycles, automotive technology, mobility services, and more.
- Organiser of the Fair: Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA)
4- Commercial Vehicle Show (CV Show) – Birmingham, United Kingdom
The CV Show is the largest and most comprehensive road freight transport and commercial vehicle event in the UK.
- Date of foundation: 1907
- Period: Annually in April
- Attendance and visit figures for the last fair: Over 20,000 visitors and 450 exhibitors in 2023
- Country, city, venues of the fair: Birmingham, United Kingdom, NEC Birmingham
- Product and service groups within the scope of the fair: Trucks, trailers, vans, logistics services, telematics, workshop equipment, and more.
- Organiser of the Fair: Commercial Vehicle Show
5- Busworld Europe – Brussels, Belgium
Busworld Europe is the world’s leading trade show for the bus and coach industry, showcasing the latest vehicles, technologies, and services.
- Date of foundation: 1971
- Period: Every two years, usually in October
- Attendance and visit figures for the last fair: Over 37,000 visitors and 500 exhibitors in 2023
- Country, city, venues of the fair: Brussels, Belgium, Brussels Expo
- Product and service groups within the scope of the fair: Buses, coaches, minibuses, electric buses, autonomous bus technologies, bus interiors, and more.
- Organiser of the Fair: Busworld International
6- InnoTrans – Berlin, Germany
InnoTrans is the world’s leading trade fair for transport technology, showcasing innovations in rail transport, railway infrastructure, and public transport.
- Date of foundation: 1996
- Period: Every two years, usually in September
- Attendance and visit figures for the last fair: Over 140,000 visitors and 2,800 exhibitors in 2022
- Country, city, venues of the fair: Berlin, Germany, Messe Berlin
- Product and service groups within the scope of the fair: Railway technology, rolling stock, railway infrastructure, public transport systems, tunneling technology, and more.
- Organiser of the Fair: Messe Berlin
7- Intertraffic Amsterdam – Amsterdam, Netherlands
Intertraffic Amsterdam is a leading international trade show for infrastructure, traffic management, parking, safety, and smart mobility solutions.
- Date of foundation: 1972
- Period: Every two years, usually in March or April
- Attendance and visit figures for the last fair: Over 80,000 visitors and 800 exhibitors in 2022
- Country, city, venues of the fair: Amsterdam, Netherlands, RAI Amsterdam
- Product and service groups within the scope of the fair: Traffic management systems, parking solutions, intelligent transportation systems (ITS), road safety equipment, and more.
- Organiser of the Fair: RAI Amsterdam
8- Automotive Testing Expo Europe – Stuttgart, Germany
Automotive Testing Expo Europe is a specialized trade fair focused on testing, validation, and development technologies for the automotive industry.
- Date of foundation: 1999
- Period: Annually in June
- Attendance and visit figures for the last fair: Over 9,000 visitors and 400 exhibitors in 2023
- Country, city, venues of the fair: Stuttgart, Germany, Messe Stuttgart
- Product and service groups within the scope of the fair: Automotive testing equipment, simulation technologies, crash test equipment, emission testing, and more.
- Organiser of the Fair: UKIP Media & Events
9- MOVE – London, United Kingdom
MOVE is a global event dedicated to the future of mobility, bringing together industry leaders, startups, and policymakers.
- Date of foundation: 2018
- Period: Annually in June
- Attendance and visit figures for the last fair: Over 5,000 attendees in 2023
- Country, city, venues of the fair: London, United Kingdom, ExCeL London
- Product and service groups within the scope of the fair: Autonomous vehicles, connected cars, electric mobility, urban air mobility, MaaS (Mobility as a Service), and more.
- Organiser of the Fair: Terrapinn Holdings Ltd.
10- Caravan Salon Düsseldorf – Düsseldorf, Germany
Caravan Salon Düsseldorf is the world’s largest trade fair for motorhomes and caravans, showcasing the latest models, accessories, and trends in recreational vehicles.
- Date of foundation: 1962
- Period: Annually in August/September
- Attendance and visit figures for the last fair: Over 260,000 visitors and 750 exhibitors in 2023
- Country, city, venues of the fair: Düsseldorf, Germany, Messe Düsseldorf
- Product and service groups within the scope of the fair: Motorhomes, caravans, trailers, camping equipment, accessories, and more.
- Organiser of the Fair: Messe Düsseldorf GmbH
Conclusion and Brief Evaluation
These ten trade shows represent some of the most significant events in the European automotive and transportation industry. They offer a comprehensive overview of the latest trends, technologies, and innovations shaping the future of mobility. Attending these events provides invaluable insights for professionals, enthusiasts, and anyone interested in staying ahead of the curve in this dynamic and ever-evolving sector.
