The Geneva International Motor Show 2024 finally saw the much-storied event return after a long gap, with the motor sector muchchanged in the intervening years. In February 2020, the international Geneva show when through a terrible time – on the cusp of massive lockdowns, the organisers had to cancel the show. Some stands were finished, some were half built and some were just a pile of boxes. Since then, the show has been held in Qatar, during 2023. For the first time in four years the international show for automotive designers finally took off. Praise for BYD, MG Motor, Lucid, Renault, Dacia (also Renault) and a whole raft of support from owners of gloriously rare vehicles for making this a special event. Upstairs there were plenty of exotic cars – including Bugatti type 41 Royales. Chassis No41111, was commissioned in 1932 with a roadster body, but was re-bodied in 1939. Using parts of Royale chassis – only seven were built originally – a replica body from No41111 in 1932 was built. Just along from these were the 1961 E-type coupe which drove from Browns Lane to Geneva for its launch in 1961, alongside the 1964 Ferrari 500 Superfast prototype No1. The array of supercars was mind blowing and every single one was in absolutely perfect condition. Strong public presence This show until 2020 was the place for car designers to gather, to discuss their work and view concepts. The design process is highly competitive, and in spite of the inevitable security risks, they flocked to Geneva – placed between Italy, France and Germany. Fortunately, the Swiss adore cars, so the strong public presence was and still is guaranteed. The Totem, for example, is a modern interpretation of a 1960s Alfa Romeo Giulia complete with bi-turbo V6 engine, CFRP body shell, rear wheel drive, and 600 HP, not forgetting the leather covered strut tower brace in the engine bay. This is not about absolutes but the way one gets there. Another example was Kimera 038 Evo, which followed 037 Evo and was based on Lancia Rally 037 – the prettiest Group B rally car. Of course, surrounding 038 Evo were 8 Martini Racing rally and racing cars. Kimera 038 Evo also uses CFRP extensively, and is also hand built – but a totally different vehicle to Totem. Dacia (Renault) Duster was 32 AFTERMARKET MAY 2024 BUSINESS www.aftermarketonline.net GENEVA 2024 – A FRESH START? Andrew Marsh considers what was on offer at the Geneva Motor Show recently in the context of the industry’s wider worries BY Andrew Marsh, FIMI Above: A better than new BMW 3.0l CSL Below: WangYang U8 – vast power, vast size, range extender power train with four electric motors
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