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Barcelona Motor Show brings together 37 brands at an edition geared towards technological innovation

The thirty-eighth Barcelona International Motor Show (SIAB) takes place on 9-17 May with 96 years of history behind it. Once again, it intends to offer a platform for the industry, a boost for sales, a showcase for brands and an international trade show of reference in terms of technological innovation. This year the show's model will be structured around four themed areas which, in addition to the area devoted to brands, puts an emphasis on the role of new technologies (Connected Car), new mobility habits (Urban Mobility) and vehicle design (Sketch Car Design).

The following brands have already confirmed their attendance: Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Citroën, Dacia, DS, Ferrari, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Iveco, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Lancia, Land Rover, Lexus, Lotus, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes, Mini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, PGO, Renault, Seat, Skoda, Smart, Suzuki and Volkswagen, all of which will be showcasing their new models, technologies and prototypes to trade professionals and the general public.

According to the show's president, Enrique Lacalle: "We're looking forward to a great edition of a show that's almost reached its centenary, which is the best motor vehicle showcase in Spain, a major industrial meeting place and also the perfect event for families and motor vehicle enthusiasts, all at a time when the sector is expanding and in a country that is the second biggest motor vehicle manufacturer in Europe.".

Lacalle was keen to convey his thanks "to all the brands that have already confirmed their attendance and also to ANFAC and ANIACAM for their categorical support for the Barcelona Motor Show, an event that has demonstrated its commitment to contributing to the recovery of a sector that is feeling fairly optimistic about the immediate future in view of the upturn in sales."

A more connected future
As an industry platform and a meeting point for the automotive sector in Spain, the show will be analysing the current situation of the industry, which is showing good manufacturing and sales results although there are still challenges on the horizon. In this respect, the event will provide a framework in which sector executives and representatives can discuss the advances and challenges of the future.

Two of the elements that will define this future are mobile technologies and connectivity. According to a survey by German company SAP, in 2016 there will be 210 connected vehicles worldwide and the car will become the fourth most widely used screen (after the TV, computers and mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets). Meanwhile, according to Accenture the technology incorporated in motor vehicles is now considered to be more important than the car's performance for 66% of buyers.

For this reason, the event is setting aside a special area known as Connected Car with the support of Mobile World Capital Barcelona to shine a spotlight on the role that mobile technologies will play in the future. This area will feature presentations on the latest innovations in this field and the potential they offer motor vehicle manufacturers. There will also be an exhibition area where visitors can get a 'live' view of some of the applications available today which experts regard as crucial for the future of the automotive industry.

Another of the new areas at the show is directly related to innovation, in this case focusing on how we use our vehicles. Urban Mobility will analyse the different types of vehicles and fleets available today and how technology implemented in driving and control systems will change the way we move around in cities.

Design
Yet if technology is one of the most decisive factors in the purchase of a car, design has always been and will continue to be another key element and the show is organizing a dedicated area on this aspect entitled Sketch Car Design. This area, sponsored by SEAT amongst other brands, will explain to visitors the process of designing a motor vehicle, with a focus on how the idea for a new car is born in the designer's mind. The area will feature a live demonstration of how designers sketch out the first lines of a new vehicle and how these sketches are initially turned into a prototype made from clay and finally into a real vehicle.

The space will also feature a retrospective of some of the creations of the most prestigious car designers of the past and present. These include Walter de Silva, the current head of design at the Volkswagen Group, who will be presented with an award in recognition of his entire career. De Silva started out in the automotive world with Fiat (1972-1977), moving on to Alfa Romeo (1986-1999) and later Seat (1999-2002) and Audi (2002-2007). He was the designer of such iconic models as the Alfa Romeo 156, the Seat Ibiza of 2002, the Audi A5 Coupé and the Lamborghini Egoista, which will be on show in Barcelona.

The World's Motor Capital
The fact that the first week of the Motor Show coincides with the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix will turn Barcelona into the world's Motor Capital. The leading automotive brands will be showcasing their new models at the show while the most powerful motor racing teams fight it out at the Circuit de Catalunya.

The Barcelona Motor Show will also provide a setting for various different side events organized by associations in the automotive sector. These include the ANFAC Assembly, the twenty-fourth National Automobile Dealers' Congress organized by Faconauto, the eighth AEGFA Fleet Management Congress, and various technical seminars organized by the Automotive Technicians' Association (STA) covering issues such as vehicle gas, electric cars and new techniques and regulations for vehicle bodywork.

As in previous years, the two days leading up to the official opening of the show to the general public – 7 and 8 May – will be reserved for the press and trade professionals. The second day will end with the 'Noche del Automóvil' evening, bringing together personalities from the world of politics, business and society. The biennial Barcelona Motor Show is one of Europe's leading and oldest automotive events and the only one in Spain to be recognised internationally by the Paris-based Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles (OICA).



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