It’s said we live in a car centric society, at the motor show, we put them on pedestals and let the kids excitedly climb around their interiors. The mundane 4 wheeled carrier, ubiquitous in everyday life, is rarely seen in centre frame quite like this.
The mood is joyful, in the main hall, stands and demo models from the latest brands. There are familiar names like Fiat, Mercedes, Ford and Volkswagen, but an equal number of newcomer brands, mainly from China, like BYD, LeapMotor and Xpeng. The EU’s protectionist tariffs, imposed last year on Chinese auto imports to slow their domination, do not appear to be much of a deterrent here.
The surrounding fringes are a celebration of classic, super, and retro cars. Everything is here, from Lambourghinis, classic Porsches, musclecar Mustangs and even a Back to the Future kitted De-Lorean. Of course, motor means more than cars, and there is a fine representation of motorbikes, electric mobility, and even golf carts on show. It’s a celebration of all things that zoom.
In the auditorium there are simulator games, and a stage where Charley Boorman spoke passionately about his travels and life. Charley has become an icon of road epic TV, featuring in the hit series Long Way Home with Ewan McGregor.
In the heart of every motor head is a desire to journey, to be carried, and to experience your vehicle along the way. We form irrational bonds with these assemblies of machinery, because they are imbued with personality by design, each car is different, each journey style distinct. The European Motor Show is a celebration of that silly love we have for our motors. Zoom on!