«CONCEPT CARS» EXHIBITION
An exceptional exhibition
Since the 23th edition, the International Automobile Festival has been open to the public with a new special highlight : the « Concept Cars » exhibition. After the great success of the first edition with considerable backing in the media and 15,000 visitors in less than four days, we can now say that the second edition was successful because it conquered a larger public with 18000 visitors in 5 days.
A structure measuring in excess of 3 000 m2 was erected at the foot of the magnificent Dome Church Place Vauban to host the exhibition of the latest concept cars and innovations in sustainable mobility.
A particularly cutting edge setting for the exhibition and presentation of models has been designed in association with the French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, who is besides President of the Jury of the Festival.
The great novelty was the "Grand Prizes area" on which the visitors have discovered the main winning creations : The Most beautiful Photograph, Most beautiful Book, Most beautiful Advertising Film, Most beautiful Car Interior (with the exhibition of the Citroën prize-winning C5) and especially the display of The Most beautiful Car of the year 2008: the Alfa Romeo MiTo elected by Internauts worldwide.
The objectives are naturally to set up a long-lasting and official exhibition for concept cars by establishing, at Les Invalides in Paris, the ultimate meeting place for world automotive design, where manufacturers will unveil their latest creations in the same way that major fashion houses present their new collections ; ranking Paris as the capital of Automotive Design.
Serge Bellu, a Journalist of international repute and a leading expert in automotive design, agreed to act as Exhibition-Commissioner General.
The Executive Organizing Committee was co-presided by Antar Daouk, President of Transaco and by the Contre-amiral Olivier Lajous Conseiller militaire aupres du Secrétaire d'Etat chargé de l'Outre-mer.
Why Concept Cars ?
Concept cars represent the cutting edge in automotive design, with regard both to style and design.
Developed by manufacturers themselves or by independent designers, concept cars reflect innovation and advancement in their designers
Concept cars express the capability of automotive industry to meet with the wishes and needs of continuously evolving life styles.
Concept cars illustrate the cultural side of car industry. The « object of the century », as it was named by Arman, has impressed many generations of artists and intellectuals.
The concept cars of the 24th edition
