No Automakers, But Bologna Motor Show Lives On

Auto shows around the world were more or less affected by the economic chaos, depending on how large the venue was. The main events of the year, those in the US, Geneva, Frankfurt, Paris or Tokyo, saw automakers jump ship as well but, compared to other local shows, they still hosted a number of global or local premieres. The Italian show to be hosted in Bologna is facing a much more difficult problem: most major automakers decided to skip the venue so there are no important models to be seen there.

Nevertheless, the show will go on, Giada Michetti, Managing Director of GL Events Italia, announced in a statement.

"In a year marked by economic crisis, with the international financial system in utter turmoil and the auto industry at the centre of a revolution destined to rewrite the rules for auto brands, international auto exhibitions have really been put to the test," she said in a statement.

However, in order to fill the void created by the absence of automakers, the organizers turned to motorsport attractions.

"On Friday 4, Saturday 5 and Sunday 6, we will have the best auto racing on the track, motorcycle races, historic Formula One, Freestyle Motocross displays, drifting and stuntmen shows. The grand final will be condensed into Monday 7 and Tuesday 8, and as always will be dedicated to the rally programme with the Memorial Bettega in which we have included the top teams engaged in the international rally (including Ford, Citroën and Subaru), with the best drivers," Michetti explained.

This year, the Bologna Motor Show runs from December 4 to December 8 at BolognaFiere.