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This article was developed within the program Venture an Idea funded by the USAID.
Time's up. The wait is over. The 55th International Motor Show opened to great pomp earlier this week, bringing the world's best two and four-wheelers under the hood of the Belgrade Fair.
The International Motor Show is one of only twelve biggest such events in the world. Nested snuggly between the Chicago show in February and Seoul (and Birmingham) in April, it's also the only one to occupy the late March slot.
Despite the rising challenges in the automobile industry (shortages, assembly line hurdles, and whatnot), the 2023 edition isn't cutting back on its trademark features. Quite the opposite.
Let's talk numbers, shall we?
More than 30 Brands
Around 250 exhibitors have come to the event, presenting 33 car and seven commercial vehicle brands.
This year's edition sees a visual redesign of the exhibition space, whereby every stand ties well with the Show's overall theme coded in its slogan. But cutting straight to the point, Hall 3 is where you want to steer towards first.
This is where the big guns – Mercedes, BMW, Maserati, Maybach, Audi, and Porsche – have parked their latest. The likes of Kia, Honda, Mazda, Renault, Hyundai, Peugeot, and Ford have been stationed in Hall 1, while the motorbikes can be found in Hall 4 of the Belgrade Fair. More about that down below.
Even More Premieres
Each brand is eager to show its take on the latest technology in car making, especially with regard to electric vehicles and hybrids. Therefore, the 55th International Motor Show boasts over 40 premieres unveiled at the event.
The most buzzworthy is the long-awaited AUDI Q8 e-tron and JEEP Avenger – the company's first electric car in history. Maserati is turning quite a few heads with its MC20 and Grecale models, while, unsurprisingly, the biggest crowds gather around Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
The car-savvy shouldn't miss out on Škoda's latest electric SUV Enyaq RS iV – the model with the highest total power output in the company's history. Toyota bZ4X and Corolla Hybrid make attractive appearances, too. And MINI Cooper S Convertible is a story in itself.
International Motorcycle Show
As per tradition, the International Motor Show is followed by a sister event with 40+ motorcycles, quads, and scooter brands available. Motopassion, as it's called, will last the whole duration of the main Show and present the very best two-wheeler offering in Hall 4.
Yup, that means the very latest from Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki, BMW, Honda, and the like.
Upcoming Program
But all that to one side, part of the Show's appeal is its abundant accompanying program. First on the schedule is the Family Day (March 24th), with special offerings curated for whole family visits, including somewhat reduced prices.
Everyone who decides to come on Friday will also be treated to the main event – the 2023 Miss Car Show. Saturday, March 25th, brings another top-draw event in the form of the Oldtimers Rally.
And towards the tail end of the 55th International Motor Show, we'll get the car of the year winner. The competition is steep this time around and includes more than ten cars from Nissan, Range Rover, Alfa Romeo, Citroen, and Mercedes.
See you there!
This article is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this program are the responsibility of Nova Iskra and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.