102nd edition of Brussels Motor Show boasts record number of brands
The 102nd edition of the Brussels Motor Show was officially inaugurated on Friday afternoon by Belgian deputy prime minister Jan Jambon and European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport Apostolos Tzitzikostas. A record number of 67 brands are participating in the motor show at Brussels Expo until 18 January.
The motor show at Brussels Expo covers about 60,000 square metres and offers eleven world premieres, sixteen European premieres and more than fifty Belgian premieres. In addition to passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, motorcycles are also on display. The central theme is “Find your drive”, because the motor show wants to help interested car buyers find out which technology and drive system is best suited to them.
Freddy De Mulder, chairman of organiser Febiac, underlined that the car industry is going through a difficult period and has to deal with political decisions “that do not always take reality into account”. “While the automotive industry accounts for 8 per cent of European GDP and 30 per cent of all research and development expenditure,” he stated.
European Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas acknowledged that recent years have not been easy for the automotive sector. “But despite the challenges, I remain optimistic about the future,” he declared. According to Tzitzikostas, the relaxation of European CO2 emission targets for 2035 was a matter of “common sense”. “This was the right decision and provides flexibility for car manufacturers and consumers,” he said. Tzitzikostas also advocated deregulation in Europe and wants Europe to be independent of third countries for battery production.
Belgian deputy prime minister Jambon also pointed out that Belgium's once-rich car production has lost much of its lustre and that the car industry in Europe is under great pressure. According to Jambon, Europe's decision to relax the 2035 targets was the right one. “With a view to the transition to electric driving, the European Union must also strengthen its energy infrastructure, with both renewable and nuclear energy,” he said.
The motor show is Belgium's largest indoor public event. Last year, it attracted 307,363 visitors, and this year, organiser Febiac is again aiming for 300,000 visitors.
Brussels Motor Show 2026 © PHOTO BELPRESS
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