Polestar 2

Make
Polestar
Segment
Sedan

The organizers of the Geneva Motor Show announced late last month that next year's show is already canceled. There were several reasons why they came to this decision, but the most significant one was the high costs involved. Automakers refused to commit at this time for 2021 due to the economic uncertainty the coronavirus pandemic continues to cause. However, failing to have a show next year could mean the end of the Geneva show entirely.

Given that it generates over $200 million for the city every year it's held and is Switzerland's largest annual event, a plan is currently being drawn that could see the show happen once again next year.

Automotive News Europe reports that the company that runs the Geneva show exhibition hall, called the Palexpo, is determined to find a way to make the show happen next year and beyond.

"From what I know in the trade show business, if we lose the date it's too difficult to come back," Palexpo Director-General Claude Membrez said. The show's organizers who announced the cancellation also stated they would like to sell the event to the Palexpo for a reported $15.9 million. However, Membrez is surprised by that. "We heard they wanted to sell the show to us, but this was the first time we heard the amount and the amount is huge!" he said.

The Palexpo board, however, is still expected to discuss this proposal later this month. The local Geneva State authority government, which owns 80 percent of the Palexpo, is also expected to take part in the discussions.

If there is a 2021 Geneva Motor Show, then chances are it'll be a smaller event than normal. Over the years, Geneva has been the venue for countless high-profile debuts, ranging from the original Jaguar E-Type in 1961 to the LaFerrari in 2013. In 2019, the $18 million Bugatti La Voiture Noire premiered as well as more mainstream offerings, such as the Polestar 2 and Mazda CX-30. If an agreement is reached, it'll have to happen fast because automakers need time to prepare and set aside an appropriate budget.