Essen Motor Show 2024: The horsepower festival in top form

The enthusiasm for cars, tuning and motorsport seems unbroken

Essen Motor Show 2024

Photo by: Christopher Otto

By: Christopher Otto

Published by: Brian Potter

Dec 10, 2024 at 7:19am ET

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People don't like cars? Tuning is stupid? And trade fairs no longer work today? If you take a look around Messe Essen at the beginning of December, you'll soon be proven wrong, because hundreds of thousands of people celebrate cars at the Essen Motor Show every year. This year too.

The Essen Motor Show has been the home of all horsepower fans since 1968 (!) and has been attracting hundreds of thousands to the city centre of Essen to celebrate the car in cold December for many decades. The EMS has not only managed to survive the coronavirus crisis, which was fatal for other trade fairs, almost unscathed, but has also continued to hold its own successfully in today's very difficult event environment. Thanks to a clever concept, the event was also able to cope with the gradual departure of major OEMs.

Click through the highlights of EMS 24:

Essen Motor Show 2024

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Essen Motor Show 2024

Source: Christopher Otto

Many car manufacturers were not present this year. The big exception was the brand Skoda, which has been loyal to the Essen Motor Show for a long time and is once again represented with a large stand this year. Highlights include the recently presented Elroq and the Kodiaq RS, which was shown for the first time.

Mercedes-Benz was not represented on the manufacturer side, but was represented by MercedesFan-World. In addition, more and more Chinese brands are taking the opportunity to present themselves. For example, the giant BYD showcased its range in Essen and proudly presented the first super sports car Yangwang U9. Electric cars are taking up more and more space on the exhibition areas, but the whole thing is still dominated by petrol fever.

Essen Motor Show 2024

Photo by: Christopher Otto

This was particularly noticeable at the "tuningXperience" in Hall 5, where organiser Sven Schulz brought together the elite of private tuners to present their spectacular conversions, as he does every year. And this year, too, it was a real jaw-dropper, because some of the tuning freaks here were absolutely impressive. The rarer, the better seems to be the motto. In addition to customised Trabants and Lamborghinis, the 170 exhibits also included various vintage cars, a pink Tesla and even a camper van.

Essen Motor Show 2024

Photo by: Christopher Otto

Of course, commercial tuners also took the opportunity to present themselves at the performance festival. First and foremost tuning legend JP Kramer, who occupied what felt like half a hall with his brands JP Performance and Dr Glossy and showed off his spectacular projects.

And the fans still love their man, as the queue at the merch stand stretched right across the entire hall at the weekend. The fans snatched everything out of JP's hands, even if it was colourful cardboard boxes with a few posters for a mere 40 euros...

Essen Motor Show 2024

Photo by: Christopher Otto

The suppliers of rims, tyres and other accessories were also well represented. From Hankook, Continental, KW and H&R to Borbet and Schmidt rims - attendance is a must. In addition, there was an increasing number of Chinese suppliers who - in contrast to the sometimes pompous presentations of the Europeans - presented their products in a mostly very sober ambience.

Essen Motor Show 2024

Photo by: Christopher Otto

The oldie faction was also present in large numbers again. Many very rare and inspiring classics were on display (and for the most part also for sale). For petrolheads, a visit to the fair is definitely worthwhile just for the smell in classic car halls 1 and 2.

Essen Motor Show 2024

Photo by: Christopher Otto

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Fortunately, the number of street vendors with their bargain stalls has decreased significantly in recent years, car hi-fi stands booming around the place have also become rare and no-one is running around with a fibreglass bumper over their shoulder any more. Nevertheless, there is still plenty to buy, mainly wheel rims in all colours and, of course, the inevitable car care products.

Over 200,000 fans took the opportunity to really celebrate the car theme in the cold December. With around 500 exhibitors from 15 nations, the trade fair was well stocked. The €20 entrance fee was certainly money well spent for car fans to enjoy the automotive summer in the middle of winter. If Messe Essen continues to consistently reorganise and expand its concept, there will be no need to worry about the future of the Essen Motor Show.

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