"The Auto Show is a balm against tariffs"

The Lacalle surname has historically been associated with the Barcelona Motor Show, first with Enrique Lacalle's father, and for the past 23 years, he has maintained his legacy of passion for motorsports as one of the representatives of civil society who gives his all for Barcelona and the sector.

–Is there no turning back on electrification?

–The commitment to electrification has been so significant on the part of brands and governments that there's no turning back. We have to get used to the fact that the future lies in electric, hybrid, and low-emission vehicles. The show is a platform for citizens to see, test, and buy. We're a great help to the sector. Brands that don't participate are completely wrong, because we're the most visited show in Spain and one of the largest in Europe, with 300,000 people passing through Montjuïc in just ten days. People have their favorite brands, and if they can't find them, after being disappointed, they turn to other brands, so those who aren't there lose sales.

-Spain still lacks charging stations and there is little incentive for electric vehicles…

-We have a car fleet with an average age of 14.2 years in 2024. The automotive sector supports thousands of jobs and contributes significantly to GDP because Spain is Europe's second-largest vehicle producer. The first one who must help sell cars and rejuvenate the vehicle fleet is the Government. There are special prices at the show, and if the MOVE plans are added, it will be easier to renew them.

-The US auto tariffs haven't been lifted…

-The Auto Show is a salve against tariffs because it comes at a key and necessary time for brands, so we act as a catalyst.

-There are also European tariffs, for example, on the Cupra Tavascan, which is assembled in China…

"We're all playing with the same cards. It's a new scenario, and we'll see how it turns out because things are getting tougher. Some people are playing harder than others, but we'll have to get used to playing with the current deck."

-Will the future of the automobile not be as splendid as in past decades?

-It's going to be different. We're going to have to get used to playing by the prevailing rules, set by governments and manufacturers, thanks to the automotive industry's commitment to electrification and the environment.

-How to attract young people to the salon?

-70% of the show's visitors come to buy a car or test drive one. It's our contribution to the automotive world: attracting young people. When I was young, the obsession was getting a license and, in my case, buying a Seat 600. Now, priorities have changed, and the first thing young people want is a cell phone. We in the automotive world must create passion for cars.

-Will there also be entertainment?

-Yes, it will be a movie theater, with immersive shows like "Movie Machines," featuring movie cars, rally-winning vehicles, and Formula E. We've always offered extras to make the visit more attractive. It's a very family-friendly show that's passed down from parents to children and invites you to enjoy an unforgettable day.

-Will sport be present?

- The Clásico will be played at the Motor Show. First, because the boards of FC Barcelona and Real Madrid will be celebrating the pre-match lunch with us on the 11th. Furthermore, all fans attending the match at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium will be able to access the match through the Motor Show and will also be able to stay and enjoy it.

-30 brands will participate, ten of them Chinese...

It's normal that a third are Chinese due to their sales boom. Automobile is a showcase for emerging brands choosing Barcelona to present themselves. We're going to bring together the best-selling cars in Spain, since more than 70% of the best-selling electric cars in 2024 will be represented at the show, and more and more models in this ranking are from Chinese manufacturers. The market is changing.

-Will SEAT celebrate its 75th anniversary with surprises?

SEAT and Cupra will be going all out for the show, occupying the entire Plaza del Universo to present their new models and celebrate their anniversary. As always, the show will feature new cars from Spain, Europe, and the rest of the world, not just from SEAT. These will be cars that will be seen in Spain for the first time. There will be 100,000 square meters of exhibition space, 15% more than the previous edition, and we expect to exceed 300,000 visitors. While some shows are closing, like the one in Geneva, and others are downsizing, we continue to serve the sector from Fira de Barcelona.

-In your recent speech upon being inducted as an honorary member of the Royal European Academy of Doctors, you praised civil society as the driving force behind Barcelona and Catalonia. Is Fira de Barcelona your most tangible example, your showcase?

Fira is the best example of how civil society acts as a driving force, because a few years ago it was decided that, in addition to the general council composed of the administrations, management would be handed over to business owners, and everything has gone from strength to strength, to the point of experiencing Fira de Barcelona's most flourishing moments. It was the right decision, and I hope that decision will be applied in other areas. The involvement of Barcelona's civil society dates back to the creation of the Liceu in 1847, the Círculo Ecuestre in 1856, Tenis Barcelona in 1899, the Polo Club in 1897, and the Real Club Náutico in 1881. And then there's the creation of FC Barcelona 126 years ago and RCD Espanyol in 1900. Another more recent example of teamwork between civil society and institutions was the 1992 Olympic Games. Barcelona is unbeatable when there is public-private collaboration.

• Participating brands: Alpine, Baltasar, BYD, Cupra, DR, Ebro, E-Miles, EVO, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jaecoo, Kate, KGM, Leapmotor, Lynk&Co, MG, Mobilize, Nissan, Omoda, Renault, Seat, Silence, Sportequipe, Suzuki, Tesla, Tiger, Volvo and Xpeng and other associated services.

• Twelve new models: One world-wide (Ebro S400) and 11 European (MG S5) and national models: Ford Puma Gen-E, KGM Torres EVX, KGM Torres Actyon, Denza Z9 GT, Hyundai Ioniq 9, Renault 4, Mobilize Duo, Mobilize Bento, Omoda 9 SHS and Leapmotor C10 REEV.

• Dates: May 9-18