A car show or motor show is a public gathering of automobile manufacturers which includes demonstrations of current automobile models, new debuts, and concept cars. Most auto shows are regular annual or biennial occurrences. A few of the shows have become very important to the industry for their publicity value, while others are more important to local dealers wanting to bring consumers into their showrooms.
Below there are the most famous world car shows.
The International Motor Show or Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA) is the world's largest motor show. Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung is held biannually in Frankfurt, Germany and is known in English as the Frankfurt Motor Show.The IAA is organized by the Association of the German Automotive Industry (VDA). Since 1992 this car show is split in two: Even numbered years show commercial cars in Hanover and odd numbered years passenger vehicles (including some motorcycles) in Frankfurt. The show is scheduled by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, which considers it a major international auto show.
The Mondial de l'Automobile (Paris Motor Show in English) is a bi-annual car show in Paris. Held in late September, it is one of the most important auto shows, often with many new production automobile and concept car debuts. The show was the first motor show in the world, started in 1898 by industry pioneer, Albert de Dion. The show takes place in Paris Expo in Port de Versailles. The Mondial is scheduled by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, which considers it a major international auto show.Until 1986 it was called Salon de l'Auto. It took the name Mondial de l'Automobile in 1988.
The Chicago Auto Show is held annually in February at Chicago's McCormick Place convention complex. It is the largest auto show in North America (1.2 million sq. ft - 111,200 sq. M.) and the third largest in the world (Frankfurt is #1 and Paris is #2, although those shows are held every other year). The Chicago Auto Show has lately seen a growing number of important introductions, and in 2007 will join the list of shows sanctioned by the OICA Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles. The Chicago Auto Show, first produced in 1901, has been staged more times than any other auto show in North America and continues to be one of the most well attended in the world.
The Geneva Salon International de l'Auto (or Geneva Motor Show) is an annual car show held in March. The show started in 1905. The show is held at Palexpo, a giant convention center. The Salon is scheduled by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, which considers it a major international auto show.
The Greater Los Angeles Auto Show is an annual car show that takes place at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California. The show has been held annually since 1907. The first show took place at Morley's Skating Rink in downtown Los Angeles, just four blocks from the current Convention Center location. With a special spot on the international calendar, it is likely that the LA show will soon become host to more vehicle introductions than before.