There is little left for Automobile Barcelona 2023 to open its doors. This long-standing International Motor Show, which celebrated its centenary in the 2019 edition, can be visited from May 13 to 21. It should be noted that, for the first time, the dates and location (Montjuïc fairgrounds) coincide with another benchmark event, the Motoh! Barcelona, which will take place between the 11th and 14th of that month. Thus, Barcelona will once again become the motor capital, despite the fact that it does not coincide, as was the tradition until the coronavirus pandemic broke out, with the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, which will be held on the circuit de Montmeló the first weekend of June.
"The show will once again reaffirm its status as a European reference event in the automotive sector this year by bringing together more brands than in 2021 and bringing the most advanced models of electric and hybrid vehicles closer to the public," said the president of Automobile Barcelona, Enrique Lacalle, who applauded "the effort being made by the automobile industry to adapt to present and future demands".
At the moment, Fira de Barcelona, organizer of the event with the support of the Spanish Association of Automobile and Truck Manufacturers (ANFAC), has confirmed the presence of major brands such as Cupra, Dacia, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz , Mitsubishi, Nissan, Renault, Seat, Ssangyong, Subaru, Suzuki, Tesla and Volvo. Chinese firms will also be present, such as Aiways or Maxus; manufacturers of microcars, such as XEV and the charismatic Microlino; as well as other companies related to electromobility and vehicle subscription. In total, more than 25 signatures.
This new edition will be held at a key moment in the transition towards sustainable mobility, since the European Union has just approved the ban on selling new polluting internal combustion cars from 2035. With few exceptions, from that year they will not be able to leave exemplars with this type of engine, unless they are fed exclusively with efuels, that is, synthetic fuels.
Although Brussels has accepted Germany's request to create this new category of vehicles, the future seems to lead to electric mobility as a solution to the decarbonisation of the transport sector. While the battery electric vehicle seems to be gaining ground, there are also manufacturers still working on hydrogen-powered fuel cell alternatives.
In this context and under the slogan "Electrifying", Automobile Barcelona 2023 wants to bring electric and electrified vehicles even closer and make them more widely known. Thus, it will have the Electric Zone area, in which it will exhibit a selection of the most advanced electric models designed by the participating brands. For its part, within the framework of Automobile Barcelona, ANFAC will organize a congress that will have the transition to sustainable mobility for industry, cities and society as its main theme.
José López-Tafall, general director of this association, has highlighted the role that the motor show can have in showing citizens "the advantages in terms of sustainability and road safety offered by the electrified vehicle".
In fact, visitors to the fair will have the opportunity to drive this type of car. It is a tradition that the Automobile Barcelona has a "box" area, where the participating brands offer the possibility of carrying out a dynamic test of some of their products.
Tickets can now be purchased online. Children under 12 years of age have free access as long as they are accompanied by an adult. There are three types of ticket, with different prices. Access to the Automobile Barcelona and the Motoh! (May 13 and 14) costs 10 euros. The rate for the weekend entrance (May 20 and 21) for the motor show is 8 euros, while attending the event on a weekday (from May 15 to 19) requires a payment of 7 euros.
