Automotive industry trade fair Auto 2024 concludes on a high with the record turnout of visitors

Traditional unison of car horns marked the successful closing of the biggest automotive industry event in the Baltics, the International Auto 2024 Motor Show, which closed its doors at the Ķīpsala Expo Centre on 21 April. This year it broke the record of recent years and brought it major crowds. Its three main sections – New Cars, Auto Mechanics and Auto Exotica – catered to broad palette of interests.

New cars, tuning masterpieces, classic cars, mobility solutions, commercial vehicles, workshop equipment, tools and other automotive innovations were presented by the total of 165 exhibiting companies from 9 countries: Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Germany, Finland, Italy, Poland, Seden and Ukraine.

Three-day motor show attracted 34,601 visitors, or 21% more than a year earlier and 12,000 visitors more than in 2022. Unveiling of new models and the death-defying motorcycle stunt show by Cageriders from Finland were among the press and public favourites.

“We are delighted with the attendance, largely thanks to exciting events and exhibitor activities. We have received positive feedback from local dealerships and international partners alike. Director of Automechanika Frankfurt, who also visited Ķīpsala Expo Centre during Auto 2024, remarked on the high quality of the event. Colleagues from Warsaw also praised the impressive number of reveals, which superseded even the Geneva motor show,” says Gints Šāvējs, Director of Auto.

Baltic reveals
Several new models of cars, significantly more than in the previous years, were revealed at the Auto 2024 for the Baltic market. The hottest newcomer was next generation Peugeot 3008 crossover. Its reveal was not announced beforehand as the car arrived literally right before the official opening of the Auto 2024 trade fair. New iteration of Dacia Duster is another newcomer that joined the fair only several days prior to the trade fair’ s dates.

As previously announced, Auto 2024 offered several Baltic reveals, including the hottest new car, the Renault Scenic E-Tech, which acquired the prestigious European Car of the Year 2024 title just a couple of weeks prior at the Geneva international motor show. Spanish e-car Cupra Tavascan was another car unveiled at the Auto. It will arrive on the Latvian market only in autumn. Škoda Kodiaq was another car that debuted on the Baltic market at the trade fair, alongside its main rival Volkswagen Tiguan and Škoda Superb Combi estate car and other car models after the facelift.

Auto 2024 showcased all-new models and commercial vehicles from several car manufacturing brands like Tesla, Audi, Alpine, Volkswagen, Škoda, Honda, Cupra, Hyundai, Nissan, Renault, Dacia, Citroen, Peugeot, Opel, KGM, Subaru, Suzuki, Ford, Fiat Professional and Iveco Bus, as well as the new market players from China – Great Wall Motors, BAIC, JAC, Forthing and Foton.

WhatCar.lv, the Latvian car review platform, had some exciting surprises for petrolheads. WhatCar.lv displayed the first-ever DBX crossover from British luxury and sportscar manufacturer Aston Martin, bringing the most powerful version of the car with 707 HP engine to Ķīpsala. WhatCar.lv also showcased the American-favourite Ford F-150 pick-up truck sports package, the Raptor, which has not been available in Latvia so far.

Patria XA-300, National Armed Force armoured personnel carrier with ancient Latvian symbols, was another, rather unusual newcomer that visitors of Auto 2024 enjoyed. It is not a defence asset, but rather a vehicle that can quickly move troops into position whenever necessary.

Traditionally, Neste presented its new modern petrol station concept, discounts and information about fuel quality right next to the entrance into the exhibition pavilion with all-new car models.

Auto Mechanics – from tools to workshop equipment
Auto Mechanics section presented the industry novelties for various segments, such as tyres, discs, car cleaning products, anti-corrosion treatment products, equipment and devices for car shops, car washes and workshops. Section contained a great variety of car chemicals and cleaning products from popular ranges like Meguiar’s, Rags, Svydis, NHOU, Grass, Polar, Eneos, Orlen, TSC Duals and other brands, as well as car workshop equipment from Animo, Ari-Ko and Alintek. Exhibiting companies promoted their new products for both the professional clients to regular customers who enjoy taking care of their steel steeds.

Modern electric vehicles
Energolukss, Elektrum, Eleport, Rohe, Alexela and ACC brought their current charging solutions to Ķīpsala. Stand of the Climate and Energy Ministry offered visitors of trade fair all sorts of information about state support programmes for e-cars and hybrid cars. Meanwhile, Latvian Electric Vehicle Association hosted two public discussions on current trends : “Are EVs ready for you?” and “Will there be enough charging points for everyone?” with experts from Latvia’s largest EV charging network operators Eleport, Elektrum Drive, Virši-A and Ignitis Latvia.

Auto Exotica – spectacular cars and impressive shows
Auto Exotica attracted representatives of car clubs and race teams. Visitors were given unique access to tuned cars, restored classic cars, race bolides and hobby cars.

Large crowds of visitors gathered en masse for the Finnish Cageriders motorcycle stunt shows, setting this year’s spectator records. Cageriders performed their dangerous breath-taking stunts in the globe of death, a six-metre high metal mesh globe. There were two performances on Saturday, which meant that stunt riders benefitted from the maximum exposure for their show during the peak hours of visitor turnout at the Ķīpsala Expo Centre.

Winners of the Auto Exotica Awards 2024 were announced and awarded during the trade fair. The title for the Best Movie Star Car was presented to Ruslans Grigorovičs from ANRU Motors in Jelgava and his replica of the 1980s cash collectors car from film Mirage. This unique design of Lada Niva on the first day of trade show was visited by lead actors Mirdza Martinsone and Mārtiņš Vilsons, who shared their memories and impressions from shooting Mirage.

Best Muscle Car cup travelled to Latgale as the most muscled car title of Auto Exotica according to jury panel was awarded to 717 HP Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, which can drain the 70-litre petrol tank with full acceleration in mere 13 minutes, whereas Nissan Skyline restored by Perfection 86 came out triumphant in the Japanese car category, winning the title of Best Japan Car. Nissan Skyline has a cult following, especially among the fie-hard fans of Fast and Furious.

When it comes to fast and furious, pro dragsters of Estonia drag racing team, one of which resembles the cross-breed of formula and buggy with smaller, narrower front wheels and bigger, wider back wheels, attracted huge interest. Equipped with 700 ZS HP V8 engine, it can speed up to mind-boggling speeds of 100 km/h in just 1.3 seconds, while classic quarter mile (402 m) drag race distance is completed in 8.7 seconds, which is an impressive result indeed. The other dragster, based on the fastest production bike in the world, the Suzuki Hayabusa, equipped with 505 HP engine, can win the straight-line race against the 1600 HP Bugatti Chiron Super Sport. Both Estonian dragsters won the Auto Exotica Award as the best racing dragsters.

Similar rivalry, although in a different racing category of Auto Exotica section, was displayed by the first solar-powered car in the Baltics, Solaride. Built by Estonian students, this car is specifically-designed for eco-rallies. Powered solely by solar batteries, it can reach the maximum speed of 140 km/h, which has secured this unique vehicle the title of Best Innovation at the Auto 2024. This year’s show truck or modified movers’ section saw Latvian Vera facing off the Estonian Vikings or Scania 770S that has recently been crowned the Best Truck Tuning winner.

Popular petrolhead community CC Nation, which traditionally takes part in Auto Exotica, awarded the Best Stance Car in 2024 to classic Mercedes-Benz 280S. Its suspension is so low that its back license plate almost scratches the tarmac. Auto Exotica and loud, powerful music go hand in hand, hence the title of Loudest Friends was given to Sound Pit, who demonstrated several cars with different audio systems for various needs. More at: www.balticmotorshow.com

Next Auto 2025 trade fair is scheduled for 25-27 April 2025 and will, as usual, take place at the Ķīpsala International Expo Centre.

Auto motor show is organised by BT 1 International Expo Company.

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