Car and motorcycle enthusiasts, mark your calendars: the Autofestival is on between 20 January to 3 February 2024. Comprising 170 showrooms and 80 participating dealerships, the show will present over 40 makes of car.
This year, the Autofestival is additionally celebrating its 60th anniversary. The context is one of recovery, as difficulties--such as supply chain disruption--have been rocking the industry: “production levels, which had been down worldwide, are catching up again,” says Autopolis CEO . “The market has changed significantly… we’re aiming for 50,000 registrations in 2024.”
According to statistics from the National Society of Automobile Traffic (Société nationale de circulation automobile or SNCA), a 16.8% increase in registrations in 2023 compared with 2022 reflects the catching up of delivery delays from previous years. Devillet points out that, this year, delivery times are projected to be between three and six months, depending on the type of vehicle (electric or combustion). “There are stocks this year, which facilitates the supply chain and enables us to offer direct solutions to our customers,” he says.
The emphasis on electric vehicles is a key feature of this year’s show. With 22.5% of the vehicles registered in 2023 being 100% electric, the sector is moving resolutely towards more sustainable mobility.
The Ecorauto environmental contribution, which came into force on 1 January 2024, represents a significant step forward for the automotive sector. This tax of €5 (excluding VAT) per new vehicle will be, according to a press release by the Federation of Automobile Distributors (Fedamo), invoiced to end customers--for each new vehicle hitting the market--in order to cover the costs of managing and recycling vehicles at the end-of-life stage.
The goal--set by the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (PNEC)--is for nearly half all cars in Luxembourg be electric by 2030. “I think the current government is well aware that 49% is difficult to achieve,” Fedamo president Philippe Mersch says of the target proportion.
Why go to the Autofestival?
Fedamo has given 60 reasons to visit the Autofestival, which we have collated and summarised for you here:
—a vast collection of makes and models, from the oldest to the most cutting-edge, the rarest to the most innovative
—entertainment for all, including test drives, food trucks, kids’ activities, competitions, vehicle exhibitions and technology demonstrations
—the possibility of configuring and personalising your vehicle (colours, accessories, upgrades, etc.) before buying on the spot
—attractive offers, including the best prices, reduced maintenance costs, additional warranties and advantageous bank finance, with additional information on insurance and premiums
—meetings with experts and car enthusiasts, offering the chance to network and learn
—because it’s a local tradition aimed at supporting the local economy
This article in Paperjam. It has been translated and edited for Delano.