The Geneva motor show is spreading its wings and launching a second edition, albeit one held around 4600km away in Doha, Qatar.

    Overnight, the organisers behind the Geneva motor show signed an agreement with Qatar Tourism to stage a motor show in the Gulf state.

    To be officially known as the Qatar Geneva International Motor Show, the new show will most likely replace a locally-organised event.

    While the next Geneva motor show is scheduled to start February 19, 2022, it’s unclear when the first edition of the Qatar Geneva motor show will take place.

    It could come as soon as the third quarter of 2022, or some time in 2023. Organisers will announce firm dates “in the coming weeks”.

    Unlike the original Geneva motor show, which is scheduled every year, the Qatar Geneva motor show will only take place every second year.

    Regardless of when the first Qatar Geneva motor show takes place, it will be a busy few years in the tiny Gulf state.

    Despite its hot desert climate and being slightly smaller than the Greater Sydney metropolitan area, the oil-rich nation will host the soccer World Cup in late 2022.

    Both the 2020 and 2021 editions of the Geneva show were cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

    After the 2021 show was called off, the organising committee was in a parlous financial state, and eventually sold the show to Palexpo, the exhibition centre where the motor show is held.

    Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, most motor shows were struggling, with many automakers choosing not to attend due to the high costs of related to participation.

    Derek Fung

    Derek Fung would love to tell you about his multiple degrees, but he's too busy writing up some news right now. In his spare time Derek loves chasing automotive rabbits down the hole. Based in New York, New York, Derek loves to travel and is very much a window not an aisle person.

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