The show featured over 30 unveilings, including two world and four European premiers
The Motor Show is confirmed as the automotive sector’s summit and a market booster
The International Motor Show of Barcelona demonstrated its importance for the automotive sector in an adverse economic climate, confirming itself as this industry’s best platform and an outstanding market booster. This was verified by the activities and meetings hosted at the show, the number of visitors and volume of recorded sales. Over 30 unveilings by the 22 exhibitors, including two world and four European premiers, again turned the Fira de Barcelona show into a must for motor lovers.
The 37th edition of the event was opened by the President of the Government, Mariano Rajoy, who was accompanied by the President of the Generalitat, Artur Mas; the Vice President of the European Commission and Commissar of Industry and Entrepreneurship, Antonio Tajani; the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Energy, José Manuel Soria; and the Minister of the Interior, Jorge Fernández-Díaz, among others.
One of the most relevant moments was the meeting between Mariano Rajoy and the top executives of brands present in Spain (see appendix), in which they discussed the challenges and needs of one of the country’s most important economic sectors, because of its investments and its contribution to the GNP.
The Show’s President, Enrique Lacalle, said “we have accomplished all our planned objectives: to hold the automobile industry’s top event in Spain, presided over by the President of the Government with all the presidents of brands and manufacturers in Spain, turning the Show into the summit of the automotive sector; to contribute to turning Barcelona into the world motor capital thanks to the concurrence with the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix and the X-Games, the biggest extreme sports competition in the world; and boosting sales, breaking records in this climate“.
Lacalle added: “the fact that the President of the Government met with the country’s leading industry at the Barcelona show, sounding out its opinions and bearing good news is a very useful precedent for the future“.
Commercial and industrial showcase
The show, which provided the setting for the Department of Motor Vehicles to present their new strategy to rejuvenate the automobile stock, again ratified its status as a leading showcase and the brands recorded important trade activity during the nine-day event, with a high number of visitors.
The Executive Vice President of Anfac, Mario Armero, said the show “has been confirmed as a sector nerve and information centre, demonstrating that the motor industry is capable of firing up the growth engine. Staging the Show at these times was a heroic act and, for this reason, I wish to congratulate Fira and the Organising Committee chaired by Enrique Lacalle“.
Germán López, President of Aniacam, highlighted the importance for the sector of “Mariano Rajoy and Artur Mas’ meeting with the top executives of the automotive industry, which made the Show more relevant, transmitted confidence and received media coverage that attracted more visitors and generated more sales“.
Motor Capital
Visitors to Fira de Barcelona’s Montjuïc exhibition centre were able to discover over 30 premiers unveiled by the 22 exhibitors at the Show, including two world premiers ¿Renault Twizy Sport F1 and Volkswagen e-up!¿ and four European launches ¿Audi A3 sedan, Mercedes Benz GLA, Nissan Juke 1.5 Dci, and Range Rover Sport.
The list of activities hosted at this year’s show included the exhibition dedicated to the 50 years of the Car of the Year Award that, for the first time, showcased 50 vehicles, which have won the award since 1964 for the best performance and quality-price ratio.
Another of the proposed activities was a series of live concerts programmed during the week. As a complement to the trade fair, visitors were able to enjoy performances by artists such as David Bustamante, La Unión and Blaumut.
The biennial show, organised by Fira de Barcelona, has the backing of the leading Spanish automotive associations and is the only event in Spain recognised internationally by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (O.I.C.A.).
Barcelona, 19th May 2013
Executives present at the automotive meeting chaired by Mariano Rajoy
1. Ignacio Bayón, President, Peugeot Citroën Automóviles España
2. Antonio Cobo, CEO and Managing Director, General Motors España
3. José Vicente de los Mozos, President and Managing Director, Renault España
4. Ludger Frentzen, President, Volkswagen Audi España
5. Francisco García Sanz, Member of Volkswagen AG Executive Committee and President of the Administrative Board, Seat
6. Diego Gutiérrez-Colomer, CEO, Hyundai Motor España
7. Emilio Herrera, CEO, Kia
8. José Luis López-Schümmer, President and CEO, Mercedes Benz España
9. Germán López Madrid, President, Volvo Car España and President, Aniacam
10.José Manuel Machado, President, Ford España and Anfac
11.Luca Napolitano, CEO, Fiat Automobile Group
12.Jorge Navea, CEO, Bergé
13.Nishimae Manabu, President, Honda Motor Europe
14.Jacques Pieraerts, President, Toyota España
15.Rafael Prieto, CEO and executive Vice President, PSA Peugeot Citroën Ibérica
16.Jaime Revilla, President, Iveco España
17.Luis Antonio Álvarez, President, Jaguar-Land Rover España
18.Marc Serruya, President, Honda España
19.Jürgen Stackmann, President, Seat
20.José María Terol, President, Mazda Motor España
21.Frank Torres, Managing Director, Nissan Motor Ibérica
22.Tomás Villén, CEO, Porsche Ibérica
23.Gernot Volkmer, President, BMW Group España