Automobile Barcelona exceeds its goals with more brands, sales and visitors

Automobile Barcelona closes the 2023 edition as the major European event of the year for brands and enthusiasts. With 31 companies and 14 premieres presented, the International Motor Show organised by Fira de Barcelona with the support of the Spanish Association of Car and Truck Manufacturers (Anfac, has filled the Montjuïc venue with visitors and buyers, driving sales of electrified vehicles and contributing to the recovery of the automotive sector.

The show’s President, Enrique Lacalle, emphasised that: “Automobile Barcelona 2023 is restoring optimism to the sector by achieving what no one else can: organising an event that is growing, that is a celebration for motor enthusiasts and that stands up for the industry at a much-needed time. The volume of sales generated during these days certifies that the show is a great dynamiser of the market, something extremely important in a country with such an ageing car fleet.”

According to a survey carried out during the show, 36.2% of the visitors who visited Automobile Barcelona did so with the intention of buying a vehicle. Among these, more than half were looking for an electrified car, 34.9% said they were interested in a hybrid or plug-in hybrid car, and 17.1% in a 100% electric car, while 20.9% were interested in a petrol engine.

Throughout the 9 days that it was open to the public, Automobile Barcelona brought together a large number of visitors who enjoyed the new products from the 31 companies present – Aiways, Baltasar, BYD, Cenntro, Cupra, Dacia, DFSK, DR, Ebro, EVO, Hyundai, ICKX, Kia, Lexus, Ligier, Maxus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Microlino, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Renault, Seat, Sportequipe, SsangYong, Subaru, Suzuki, SWM, Tesla, Volvo and XEV – as well as others from the mobility sector – Acciona Silence, Astara Move, Autobank, Seat MÓ, Verge, Wallbox and Yadea. Among them, three world firsts: Cupra Tavascan, Ebro EcoPower and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

With the final figures pending after the closing of the show this afternoon, the event has recorded an increase in visitors of around 20% and will therefore exceed the 300,000 attendees of the 2021 edition, strengthening its position as the leading European event in the automotive industry.

An Electrifying Experience
Automobile Barcelona has organised a variety of activities to contribute to the expansion of the electrified vehicle that have attracted large crowds, particularly at weekends. One of the highlights was the “E Motorsport Show”, with demonstrations and exhibitions by famous personalities from the world of motorsport, who drove electric vehicles on a circuit set up around the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc.

In addition, the traditional “boxes” located on Reina María Cristina and Rius i Taulet avenues were another focus of activity and several thousand test drives were carried out. The brands provided visitors with all kinds of vehicles, from urban SUVs to family cars, with a special focus on electrified models, which those interested in acquiring a new car were able to drive in real conditions on the emblematic Montjuïc circuit.

Institutional support
Likewise, the President of the show, Enrique Lacalle, expressed his gratitude for the “great institutional and industrial support that the show has received“, mainly with the presence at the inauguration of the Minister of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, Raquel Sánchez, and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Héctor J. Gómez, accompanied by the Minister of Economy and Finance of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Natàlia Mas, together with other authorities.

In addition to Anfac, through the participation of its president Wayne Griffiths, the event was supported by the top representatives of car manufacturers and dealers, as well as political and institutional leaders and representatives of civil society, such as the Spanish Government Delegate in Catalonia, Carlos Prieto; the President emeritus of the show, Javier Godó; the Leader of the opposition in the Catalan Parliament, Salvador Illa; the President of Foment del Treball, Josep Sanchez Llibre; the President of the Chamber of Commerce, Mónica Roca; the 3rd Deputy Mayor of Barcelona, Laia Bonet; and the Deputy Mayor of Barcelona City Council, Albert Batlle, among other authorities.

Automobile Barcelona, the only event in Spain with international recognition from the OICA (Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles), was also the venue for the congress “The moment of decarbonisation and electrification” organised jointly by Anfac and Fecavem, as well as various meetings and technical sessions, consolidating its position as an industrial forum.