The automotive event of the year in Spain previews its chief innovations
Record growth in brands and exhibition space at Automobile Barcelona in its centenary
Automobile Barcelona, the International Motor Show organized by Fira de Barcelona, will be held from 11 to 19 May 2019 (9 and 10 May for the press and professionals), the largest event in recent years on the occasion of its centenary. The event, the first trade fair in Spain to commemorate a hundred years, will witness an increase in the number of manufacturers, with a total of 37 expected to attend. This represents a 25% increase with respect to the 30 that visited the last fair in 2017 and a need for more exhibition space, which has meant that Halls 2 and Z6 at the Montjuïc venue will be used again.
The car makers that have applied to take part so far include the leading firms in the sector: Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Lexus, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Mini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Piaggio Commercial Vehicles, Porsche, Renault, Rolls-Royce, Seat, Skoda, Smart, Subaru, Suzuki, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo, as well as returning legends like Hispano-Suiza.
Enrique Lacalle, the trade fair’s President, expressed his conviction that “the increase in the number of brands and the exhibition area, together with it being the centenary of this iconic fair, previously known as the Motor Show but now called Automobile Barcelona, confirm that it’s one of this year’s most important events for the automotive industry”. “We’re all striving to make this year’s event absolutely indispensable for everyone, with a schedule that will provide visitors with a chance to take a stroll through the history of the event, discover the latest jewels of a key industry for our country and be amazed by the technological innovations set to transform mobility and our lives in the not too distant future”, added Lacalle.
In the same vein, José Vicente de los Mozos, President of Anfac, the National Association of Car and Lorry Manufacturers, stressed that “Automobile Barcelona 2019 will be an opportunity to provide a significant showcase and will speak for the car industry in Spain, geared towards citizens and the world and demonstrating companies’ firm commitment to the industrial fabric of the country, with innovation and competitiveness to address the new mobility of the future, which will be more efficient and smarter”.
Automobile Barcelona will also be attended by other brands in the automotive sector offering services, components and technology, thus increasing the range of products on display at the event.
The largest event in recent years
Automobile Barcelona will be held for the 40th time and it will be the largest in recent years, with more brands and a larger exhibition area. The incorporation of more firms and new activities has led to its extension to two new halls (Halls 2 and Z6) at the Montjuïc venue. These will exhibit the new products of some of the participating brands and also host some of the activities scheduled for visitors.
The event will be structured around three main pillars: Motorshow, devoted to brand innovations and the technological transformation which is shaping the future of the car industry by means of connectivity, autonomous driving, electrification, the internet of things and smart mobility; Connected Street, where visitors will be able to try out these new technologies in a real environment equipped with the latest innovations, and a third, Road to 100, a programme of activities that will offer a comprehensive journey through the 100 years of its history and the close relationship between Barcelona and the development of the car industry.
Public and institutional recognition
The importance of the fair for the automobile industry in Spain, together with its role as a springboard for innovation in the sector and international showcase for car makers, has led the Spanish Parliament to declare the trade fair an event of exceptional public interest, included in the National Budget for the year 2018. This acknowledgement, which was sought by the event and Anfac, will mean tax benefits for any companies that participate in the promotion and holding of the event.
Automobile Barcelona, the only event in Spain that receives the international recognition of the OICA (Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles) and the support of Anfac and Aniacam, will once again be a great international showcase where the main car makers will present their new products.
Madrid, 4 February 2019
******************************************************
Car makers list
Abarth
Alfa Romeo
Audi
Bentley
BMW
Ferrari
Fiat
Fiat Profesional
Hispano Suiza
Honda
Hyundai
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Kia
Lamborghini
Land-Rover
Lexus
Maserati
Mazda
Mercedes Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Piaggio profesional
Porsche
Renault
Rolls-Royce
Seat
Skoda
Smart
Subaru
Suzuki
Tesla
Toyota
Volkswagen
Volvo