The show was hosted at the Palexpo, a convention centre located next to the Geneva Cointrin International Airport.

[1] First held in 1905, the Salon hosted almost all major internal combustion engined models in the history of the automobile, along with benzene- and steam-powered cars from the beginning of the century.

Prototypes, new equipment, technical breakthroughs, international partnerships, as well as political and social debates, have been announced at the exhibition.

The show was regarded as a level playing field for the world's automakers, aided by the fact Switzerland lacked an auto industry of its own.

[2] The Geneva International Motor Show was not held in 2020-2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact on the global automobile industry.

[6][7] In July 2023, plans were announced for the 2024 Geneva Motor Show from 26 February to 3 March, with a revised format to reduce costs for exhibitors.

[8] The 2024 edition highlighted serious organizational shortcomings, which resulted in lower participation or the total absence of the manufacturers.

As of January 26, 2024, automakers that are confirmed to present at the show in 2024 are:[9][10] The following vehicles were first presented at the show: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic along with "uncertainties in the global economy and geopolitics" in 2022 led the organisers to cancel the Swiss location for 2023 (fourth year in row) and to postpone the Qatari location until October 2023.