Official Website - Geneva International Auto Show 2026
Revealing the future since 1905
1905 - First National Motor And Cycle Show
Although it is generally acknowledged that the automobile was “officially” born with Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach’s “Benz Patent Motorwagen”, which was presented at the Paris World Fair in 1889, studies and first experiments with motor vehicles began much earlier. All over Europe, but also in Switzerland!
Isaac de Rivaz, a Swiss citizen, tried to motorize a chariot in 1775 using steam and then gas. Swiss engineers can also be credited with several significant achievements in the automobile sector from the end of the 19th century: front-wheel drive and the gear-transforming flywheel, a kind of automatic gearbox before its time, by Henriod, the overhead camshaft by Popp, the progressive extension pulley gearbox by Weber, and the asphalting of roads developed by Dr Guglielminetti.
The Swiss car industry experienced a period of euphoria at the beginning of the 20th century: there were more than 70 Swiss car manufacturers and the first races and rallies were held.
It was in this context that the first Swiss National Automobile and Cycle Exhibition was organized in Geneva in 1905. Switzerland was then at the heart of the European automobile industry and its automobile production was renowned for its reliable and luxurious products.
1924 - Geneva Motor Show goes internation
The 4th National Automobile and Cycle Exhibition of 1923 laid the foundations for the event to become international: the authorities provided a test track on the roads on the left bank of Lake Geneva and in November, the “Comité permanent du Salon International de l’Automobile” (permanent committee of the International Motor Show), which is still the organizer and holder of the rights to the GIMS today, was created.
The first Geneva International Motor Show of 1924 dazzled with splendors but few technical innovations were presented. Some experts at the time even dared to claim that the automobile had reached its limits… The democratization sought by Henry Ford with his Ford T struggled to convince in Europe, where the car remained a privilege of the wealthy: it had to be imposing, powerful and luxurious to show its success.
Nevertheless, the 1924 edition of the Motor Show made Geneva one of the European capitals of the automobile; the exhibition area was doubled compared to 1923.
1926 - New “Palais des Expositions” in Geneva city center
In 1925, the number of visitors exceeded 100,000 for the first time. The “Bâtiment Electoral” from the early days of the Motor Show and the temporary annexes built on the adjacent on the “Plaine de Plainpalais” were too small. The construction of a new “Palais des Expositions”, approved in 1925, enabled the 1926 edition – exceptionally moved to June due to construction work – to increase the exhibition space from 6,200 to over 13,000 m2.
1935 - Citroën 7 CV Traction
The Citroën Traction Avant is the world’s first unibody front-wheel-drive car. A range of mostly 4-doors saloons and executive cars were made with 4 or 6-cylinders engines from 1934 to 1957. The Traction Avant pioneered integrating FWD and 4-wheel independent suspension into a mass-production, crash resistant, unitary, monocoque body.
1947 - Maserati A6 1500 GT Pinin Farina
The A6 1500 Gran Turismo grand tourer was Maserati’s first production road car. Development began in 1941 by the Maserati Brothers but was interrupted when priorities were given to wartime production and was not completed until after the war.
The first chassis, bodied by Pinin Farina, debuted at GIMS 1947. This first prototype was a 2-door, 2-seat, 3-window Berlinetta with three square portholes on its fully integrated front wings, a tapered interior and futuristic hidden headlamps. The car was produced in small numbers and most were bodied by Pinin Farina.
1949 - Porsche’s first international motor show
On 17 March 1949, Porsche introduced itself to an international public audience for the first time. The young brand showcased the 356 Coupé and 356 Cabriolet built at that time in the production facility in Gmünd (Austria). This participation laid the foundations for a very strong relationship between Geneva and Porsche, which has taken part in every edition since.
1953 - Ferrari 250 MM Berlinetta
The 250 MM Berlinetta was the very first Ferrari ever launched in Geneva. It was based on the 1952 Mille Miglia-winning Ferrari 250 S prototype, resulting in the 1953 production model using the ‘MM’ name after the epic road race. Using the new Gioachino Colombo-designed 3.0-litre V12 engine, its performance was tested and proven at the Mille Miglia and many other events. Shining under the Geneva spotlights, its elegant Pinin Farina coupe bodywork broke new design ground.
1957 - Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
Designed primarily for Californian customers, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster made its public debut in Geneva in 1957. Compared to the Coupé from which it was derived, the 300 SL Roadster’s tubular chassis was modified to create more space in the boot, and the lower door sill allowed a more conformable entry. The Roadster also raced on American circuits, competing in the same class as the Maserati 300S, Ferrari Monza or Aston Martin DB3S.
1961 - Jaguar E-Type
“The most beautiful car ever made” according to Enzo Ferrari himself, the Jaguar E-Type made its debut in Geneva in 1961. The presentation of the E-Type was made memorable by the iconic journey from Coventry to Geneva. Bob Berry – Jaguar’s PR Manager at the time – and Norman Dewis – Jaguar’s Test and Development engineer – drove two E-Type (coupé and a convertible) overnight for over 1200 km. Both cars were requested to meet the incredible demand for test drives on the opening day of the show. It was worth it, as Jaguar left Geneva with over 500 orders.
1963 - Mercedes-Benz 230 SL “Pagoda”
Designed primarily for Californian customers, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster made its public debut in Geneva in 1957. Compared to the Coupé from which it was derived, the 300 SL Roadster’s tubular chassis was modified to create more space in the boot, and the lower door sill allowed a more conformable entry. The Roadster also raced on American circuits, competing in the same class as the Maserati 300S, Ferrari Monza or Aston Martin DB3S.
1966 - Lamborghini Miura
The Lamborghini Miura is the first supercar to feature a two-seater rear mid-engine layout, which has since become the standard for high-performance sports-, super- and hypercars. When it came out, the Miura was the fastest production road car. In Geneva in 1966, the Miura received glowing reception from visitors and the motoring press alike, all impressed by Marcello Gandini’s styling and the car’s revolutionary mid-engine design. The Miura remained in production until 1973, when it was replaced by the Countach.
1969 - Porsche 917
With the aim of winning its first overall victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Porsche entered the Group 4 sports cars category. However, CSI type homologation for racing was obtained by producing at least 25 units of the model entered. The Porsche 917 was manufactured in 1969, and the chassis number 001 was unveiled in Geneva in 1969. It was the start of an unprecedented success story in racing, starting with victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971, followed by dozens more on all the racetracks of the world until 1975.
1970 - Alfa Romeo Montreal
The Alfa Romeo Montreal was introduced as a concept car in 1967 at the Expo 67 held in Montreal. The body was designed by Marcello Gandini at Bertone and the mechanicals was borrowed from the Giulia. In Geneva in 1970, Alfa Romeo unveiled the production car, technically quite different from the concept. It featured a 2,6-litre, dry-sump lubricated, cross-plane V8 engine of 200 PS, derived from the 2-litre V8 used in the 33 Stradale in Tipo 33 sports prototype racer. None of the Montreal were sold in… Montreal since Alfa Romeo didn’t develop a North American version to meet the emission control requirements applied in the USA and Canada.
1970 - Citroën SM
In 1968, Citroën purchased Maserati with the intention of harnessing Maserati’s high-performance engine technology to produce a true GT car, combining the sophisticated Citroën hydraulic suspension with a Maserati V6.
The result was the Citroën SM, first shown in Geneva in 1970. As true flagship, the SM was competing with high-performance GT such as Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lotus, Mercedes-Benz or Porsche. The SM featured many unusual innovative features introduced on the DS: hydro-pneumatic self-leveling suspension, self-leveling lights that swiveled with the steering, variable assist power steering and disc brakes at all four corners.
1971 - Lamborghini Countach LP500
The Lamborghini Countach was one of the most iconic supercar from the 70s to the 90’s. Designed by Marcello Gandini for Bertone, it was the first car to adopt the sharply angled “Italian Wedge” shape. It replaced the Miura, and took on its most successful aspects, such as the rear mid-engine, RWD layout along with many new engineering and styling innovations. The Countach was also the first production car to incorporate scissor doors. The Lamborghini Countach LP500 (first prototype) was unveiled in Geneva in 1971, while production didn’t begin until 1974, after two further prototypes (presented in Geneva in 1973 and 1974).
The Countach remained in production until 1990, when it was replaced by the Diablo.
1972 - BMW Turbo Concept
The Turbo Concept sports car was built by BMW as a celebration for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich and unveiled in Geneva in 1972. It was designed by Paul Bracq with gullwing doors. Only two were ever built. BMW later used the Turbo’s design themes on the M1, the 8 Series and the Z1.
1972 - Maserati Boomerang
The Maserati Boomerang is a concept car designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. Based on Maserati Bora chassis, the Boomerang was revealed in Geneva in 1972. The Boomerang’s design incorporates all the styling gimmicks that will be found on future models by Giugiaro: 1973 VW Passat Mk1, 1974 VW Golf Mk1, 1976 Lotus Esprit, 1979 Lancia Delta and Maserati Quattroporte and 1981 DeLorean.
1975 - Rolls-Royce Camargue
The Camargue is a two-door saloon manufactured by Rolls-Royce. Designed by Pininfarina, it was the first post-war production Rolls-Royce not designed in-house or by “usual” coachbuilders such as Mulliner-Park Ward, James Young, Hooper, etc. At launch in Geneva in 1975, the Camargue was the Rolls-Royce flagship and the most expensive production car in the world.
1977 - Porsche 928
Originally developed to cater for an evolving automotive market, the Porsche 928 was ultimately intended to replace the Porsche 911 as flagship model. It combined the handling and performance aspects of a sports car with the ride, load space, and comfort of a luxury car. Presented in Geneva in 1977, the 928 was the company’s first production V8-powered model and its only coupé powered by a front-mounted V8 engine. On its commercial launch in 1978, the 928 also won the European Car of the Year award, remaining to date the only sportscar to do so.
1980 - Audi Quattro
Audi Quattro has made a major contribution to the popularisation of all-wheel drive on road vehicles. The body of the Audi Quattro is based on that of the Audi Coupé, itself a modified Audi 80 B2 with two doors and a hatchback. The Audi Quattro is easily recognisable by its wider wings, specific bumpers, larger rocker panels and larger rear spoiler. The Audi Quattro also served as the basis for the Quattro A1, A2 and Sport Quattro, which made history in Group B rallying. Thanks to them, Audi won the World Rally Championships in 1982 and 1984 and finished second in 1983 and 1985.