With 104 years of history behind it, on Saturday, May 13, Automobile Barcelona 2023, the Fira de Barcelona International Motor Show, kicks off for the general public, at the historic Montjuïc site. With the illusion of becoming an essential event in mobility, technology and electrification, the centenary event comes as a necessary boost to the sector, with the firm intention of contributing to decarbonisation, through the electric vehicle.
The show, which has the support of the Spanish Association of Automobile and Truck Manufacturers (ANFAC), has already confirmed the presence of brands such as Aiways, BYD, Cupra, Dacia, Ebro, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Mazda, Maxus, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Renault, Seat, SsangYong, Subaru, Suzuki, Tesla or Volvo. As well as Astara Move, Yadea, Seat Mo, Silence or Wallbox, leading companies in electric mobility.
As Enrique Lacalle, president of Automobile Barcelona, proudly expresses, “the Barcelona show is an international benchmark and never throws in the towel in its support for the sector”. And he adds, "Barcelona will be the motor capital for another year with a show that continues to open when others close."
In this way, under the slogan "Electrifying", Automobile Barcelona 2023 wants to contribute to the expansion of the electric and electrified vehicle, which increasingly has a more diversified offer. To make it visible, it will organize the Electric Zone to give a prominent place to a selection of the latest generation electric models.
In addition, visitors will be able to get behind the wheel of the cars presented by the participating brands, going through the traditional “boxes” to get into the available vehicles and drive the new electrified models around the legendary Montjuïc circuit and check out their latest innovations behind the wheel. .
On the other hand, in Barcelona, at the Montjuïc fairgrounds, the one of a lifetime, we will see products for immediate commercialization, but also other more daring or conceptual ones that advance the main lines of the sector for the coming years. And, of course, as we have mentioned, electrification takes on a special role and remains an essential pillar of this innovation.
And, as a challenge for the future, more immediate than we can think, autonomous driving and its continuous advances appear. But, above all, Automobile Barcelona intends to be once again an "engine of illusions", and point and followed to recover the good progress of this important industry.
The general director of ANFAC, José López-Tafall, valued, once again, the importance of this event: “having a new edition of Automobile in Spain and Barcelona must be the subject of celebration. At this crucial moment in which the change towards sustainable, zero-emission mobility, forces the citizen to see first-hand the wide range of electrified vehicles”.
In its 42nd edition, visitors will be able to see three world novelties: Cupra Tavascan, Ebro EcoPower and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. And among the firsts we must highlight the BYD Dolphin and Seal, the Dacia Extreme range, the Hyundai Kona, the Mazda MX-30-R-EV or the new Renault Clio and Espace.
In addition, Hyundai arrives at Automobile with the Ioniq 6 and the entire range, including the Staria minivan or the Hyundai i20 WRC competition.
Mazda will be in Barcelona with the Mazda Cosmo, to honor the rotary engine and the new CX-60 diesel with ECO label, CX-5 with light hybridization and ECO label. In addition to some special versions of the Mazda MX-5 and Mazda6, which turns 20.
For its part, Mercedes-Benz will exhibit the new EQS SUV, AMG G 63 4x4, AMG EQS 53, GLC 300 4M (PHEV) and AMG SL models.
Nissan, always present in Barcelona, will have a range of the most electrified and renewed ranges on the market: Qashqai and X-Trail e-Power, Ariya, Juke Hybrid and the Nissan Camperizas and Townstar models.
Renault also brings the Austral, Arkana and Kangoo to Barcelona. And Dacia, in turn, will show off the range of models with the new brand identity at its stand: Sandero, Spring, Jogger and Duster.
The protagonists of Volvo will be the XC40 and the XC60, but especially the C40, the first fully electric car of the Swedish brand.
At the Seat stand, another brand faithful to Montjuïc, there will be a 1400 produced in the Zona Franca in Barcelona, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the first model and some other historic ones. The current range manufactured in Martorell will also be the protagonist: Ibiza, Arona and León.
And the protagonist of the Cupra stand will be the Tavascan, which will be shown in public for the first time. In addition, in the test area it will be possible to drive the 100% electric Cupra Born.
For its part, the Astara group arrives with the new Subaru Solterra, SsangYong Korando e-Motion, Aiways U5 and Aiways U6, Maxus MIFA 9 and Maxus T90, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV and Mitsubishi ASX PHEV. And the Japanese manufacturer Suzuki will show its full range.
Automobile Barcelona is the only event held in Spain that has the international recognition of the OICA (Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles). The days 11 and 12 of May will be reserved for press and professionals. In the 2023 edition, which has the support of the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and the Urban Agenda, and ACCIÓ-Agència per la Competitivitat de l'Empresa of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Automobile will meet at the Montjuïc site with Motoh! Barcelona, the motorcycle show and the new urban mobility that will be held at Palacio 7 from May 11 to 14.
