Smaller Montreal International Auto Show draws 148,516 visitors over 10 days

The Montreal International Auto Show got the truncated 2023 Canadian show circuit off to a “convincing” start, attracting a 10-day total of 148,516 visitors.

The event, which took place Jan. 20, 2023 through Jan. 29, 2023, was smaller, taking up only one of the usual three floors of the Palais des congress, and numbers were down from the 2020 attendance of 183,149, according to the show’s website. But MIAS Executive Director Luis Pereira said the show achieved its goals.

“Despite three snow days and fewer workers downtown, people came out,” he said.

“We hope the convincing number of visitors will influence the manufacturers present to renew their participation next year and rally those who were absent. From our side, we can say that it is mission accomplished.”

Although some manufacturers were missing, including domestics like Ford and Stellantis, MIAS had more than 220 vehicles on display, including “the largest number of green and exotic vehicles ever presented in a general public exhibition,” Pereira said.

“We had 67 EVs and an EV test drive feature which drew a lot of interest as did a display of 20 exotic vehicles from a private collection which were worth about $36 million.”

That display alone took up the space left by Ford, he said.

“People in Quebec are passionate about their cars and passionate about the auto show,” he added. “They were happy just having the show back.”

Show spokesman Bertrand Godin said the event gave people who have been waiting for a vehicle “the chance to admire, feel and touch the one they ordered for the very first time. These are families and friends who took advantage of the show to live their passion for cars together. That’s what car shows are all about.”

Jim Scott, General Motors Canada’s sponsorship and auto show manager, said it was “fantastic to see such large and enthusiastic crowds.”

“We…are extremely pleased in our decision to support this year’s edition. After a two-year pause it was great to again present our Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac lineup to the Montreal community and to support our GM dealers in Quebec.”

While some visitors were disappointed at the absence of some manufacturers, “we see the 2023 edition’s enthusiasm in a good light,” said Denis Dessureault, MIAS executive vice-president. “Quebec consumers are passionate about cars, and we will continue to work to create events that are worth the detour. We truly felt that people were happy to have the event back.”

Pereira said another success was the number of downloads of a new mobile application. “More than 13,300 people were introduced to Sam, the Auto Show guide and the ‘glove compartment’ option that stores relevant information for the user.

“This was a test year for MIAS which wants to offer a mobile application that’s different from anything else offered in the trade show industry,” said Pereira. “We are happy with the results and the whole team is already full of ideas for next year.”