The São Paulo International Motor Show (Salão International do Automóvel de São Paulo) is the biggest and most important automotive event in Latin America.[1] The São Paulo International Motor Show has been held in São Paulo, Brazil since 1960. Originally being held irregularly, it has been a biannual show since 1984 (although there was no 2020 edition due to the coronavirus pandemic). In 1990 the event became internationalized and the domestic industry showed its capacity for global competition.[2]
Locations
The original six exhibitions took place at the centrally located Ibirapuera Park. From 1970 until 2014, the Show was held indoors, at the Anhembi Convention Center. The two most recent events have been held at the São Paulo Expo [pt].
1960
The inaugural edition opened on 25 November 1960. 12 manufacturers were represented and 400,000 visitors - including domestic automobile industry champion, President Juscelino Kubitschek - attended.[3]
With the fourth edition, the show adopted its current biannual schedule. The impact of Brazil's economy and political situations have, however, sometimes led to three-year gaps and occasionally to successive shows. This was the first year that the show was held under the military dictatorship. Volkswagen and Ford both boycotted the event.
