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No Brussels car show in 2024 after major brands drop out

13:40 30/05/2023

Brussels will not be hosting a car show next year, according to organiser Fédération Belge et Luxembourgeoise de l'Automobile et du Cycle (Febiac).

“Febiac's board of directors has decided not to organise a physical Motor Show next year,” a brief press release reads.

“Febiac's objective has always been to offer visitors a high-quality and representative experience. Given that the conditions are not in place, the board has concluded that it would be inappropriate to continue the process for 2024.”

No further explanation was provided in the official announcement and Bruzz reports that certain car brands have already announced disappointment in the decision.

It follows the recent cancellation of the Geneva motor show, sometimes described in car circles as the most exclusive auto show in Europe. Renault now fears that the Brussels show could follow suit and be permanently axed.

“We were among the believers and planned to invest heavily in the Brussels edition and to come out with world premieres,” said Renault spokesman Karl Schuybroek.

A Febiac spokesperson provided more detail, saying “the 95% market representativeness would no longer be achieved” and therefore it was decided not to have a physical show next year.

The spokesperson also stressed that the decision will have no impact on the rest of the federation's operation, which no longer depends on income from the show but its four core tasks: data, knowledge, communication and lobbying.

D'Ieteren, importer of the German Volkswagen group's brands, is said to have declined participation in a 2024 show in Brussels, and a number of other brands are also said to have begun hesitating.

L’Echo reports that the show was cancelled as a result of this lack of participation from several manufacturers.

Brands that stopped participating already in this year's edition, with no large stand of their own, included Mercedes, Volvo and Jaguar Land Rover, which are believed to have shown no interest in next year's show either.

Written by Helen Lyons