The 81st Geneva International Motor Show ended on Sunday after welcoming more than 735,000 visitors. All of the exhibitors have expressed a high level of satisfaction with this year’s edition which seems to have definitively marked the end of the automobile crisis. Never before have so many new models been presented. The public showed a particular interest in the many vehicles containing alternative technologies and means of propulsion. The next edition has been scheduled for March 8-18, 2012.

The announced goal of around 700,000 visitors was soundly beaten with a final count of more than 735,000 entries, resulting in a 6% increase over the 2010 edition.

“We were not targeting to beat all records for the number of visitors, but were rather committed to continuously improve the comfort levels and attractiveness of the Show for our visitors. However, it is reassuring that we can hand over to our successors a Motor Show that is particularly prosperous and promising for the future.”, said Mr. Luc Argand, President of the Geneva International Motor Show.

After 6 years as the head of the Geneva International Motor Show, Mr. Argand has decided not to seek a new mandate for this position.  It has now been conferred on Mr. Maurice Turretini who will succeed him.  Mr. Rolf Studer, Managing Director, will pass his torch to Mr. André Hefti for the next edition of the Show.

The automobile world struggled through a very difficult period in 2009/2010 due to the world economic crisis. The team of Argand/Studer has not only dealt with the crisis but has succeeded in maintaining the Geneva International Motor Show’s stature as a leader among the top automobile exhibitions in the world.

The results of a survey conducted with all the exhibitor stands by the Exhibitors Commission indicated that their level of overall satisfaction was even higher than that of the previous years.

Some 10,000 media representatives came to the Show from all over the world. The media coverage was not only extensive, but the quality of this year’s Show got rave reviews and reinforced the predominant role of the Geneva International Motor Show on the calendar of international automobile exhibitions.

The next edition will take place from March 8-18, 2012 at PALEXPO in Geneva.