A revived Belgian market?
What to revive the market in Belgium? This is the hope of the manufacturers who will be present at the Auto Show, which will be held from January 10 to 19. “The show is showing great momentum this year, with a record number of exhibitors: 63 automobile brands will be present. This is a number never reached before and is a positive signal for the sector. This actually represents 90% of the Belgian automobile market. And on the ticketing side, we are 26% ahead of the 2023 edition, on the same date. All the signals are green, it’s very encouraging“, tells us Christophe Dubon, spokesperson for Febiac, which organizes the show.
“I remind you that we are organizing this event at the request of brands. Last year, there was no demand from them given the general context, but this year, it comes first and foremost from the manufacturers themselves. The market has evolved in a year, and recently we published figures showing a decrease in vehicle sales volumes to businesses, while sales to individuals increasedhe continues. We can conclude that during the Covid period, followed by a significant increase in prices, individuals delayed their purchases. Today, stocks are replenished, and brands are able to offer attractive offers. This is also why they want to organize a trade fair again.“
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And if we can sometimes observe price drops, or the arrival of mid-range vehicles at attractive prices, this is linked to larger stocks, in particular. “This is in fact linked to stocks, but also to investments in electricity, which are starting to be profitable. This is felt gradually and even influences mid-range vehicles. Until now, new technologies were given priority to high-end vehicles. There is therefore, overall, less pressure on prices, and the market is moving more and more towards electrification, in all segments. Many manufacturers will thus arrive on the Belgian market with vehicles at very competitive prices. For example, a manufacturer will offer an electric car for less than 20,000 euros.“
Business to do at the Show?
We can therefore hope to do business during the Auto Show, with a wider offering than two years ago. “In 2023, many criticized the show as a fairly elitist event, but that won’t be the case this year. The brands will come with a diversified offering, including gasoline and diesel cars, and no longer just electric or high-end vehicles.“, assures Christophe Dubon.
“The prices of electric cars are already falling”
Regarding the famous Salon conditions, we can already see some good deals from manufacturers. “Most brands have already launched their sales offers, which start around a month before the event and end 3-4 weeks after. The interest of the show lies in the possibility of seeing and comparing the models. There will also be special offers on site. This still arouses interest, because it is not only a giant showroom, but also an event with entertainment for the whole family. The public seems receptive to this approach“, he concludes.
Concretely, we are talking about €2,000 to €8,000 discount at BMW, up to €8,000 at Citroën or even more than €10,000 at Peugeot, €12,000 at Hyundai or even a maximum of €14,385 on the Ford Bronco.
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