Saló Ocasió targets 20,000 visitors at Fira de Barcelona

The Saló Ocasió opened its doors at the Fira de Barcelona Gran Via exhibition center, relocating from Plaça d’Espanya with the stated goal of recovering 20,000 visitors. Organizers attributed the move to improved parking accessibility at the new venue, aiming to return attendance figures to pre-pandemic levels as the event runs through Sunday.

Discounts and Incentive Proposals at the Gran Via Exhibition Center

Amid rising vehicle costs, Jaume Roura, president of the Gremi del Motor, stated that the exhibition features price reductions of up to 40% on selected models. During the opening of the trade fair, Roura presented a proposal for purchase incentives to Miquel Sàmper, the conseller d’Empresa i Treball. The plan, drafted by the employers’ association Fecavem, outlines a direct, simplified financial aid program aimed at accelerating the replacement of aging automobiles in Catalonia.

The proposed scheme conditions subsidies on the permanent scrapping of older passenger cars. It designates both brand-new vehicles and young, efficient used models as eligible purchases. Fecavem argued that the initiative addresses the growing age of the Catalan automotive fleet, which the association contends directly impacts vehicle emissions, road safety, and regional air quality.

Older Vehicles Emit More Carbon Dioxide

Fecavem’s report to Sàmper details the environmental impact of the current vehicle fleet, noting that 41.8% of automobiles in circulation are 14 years old or older. The study estimates that a passenger vehicle aged 15 years or older emits an average of 160.9 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer. By comparison, a used vehicle up to five years old averages 118.8 grams per kilometer.

Based on a reference annual mileage of 11,863 kilometers, replacing an older automobile with a newer secondhand model prevents approximately 499 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions annually, representing a 26.2% reduction. The current edition of Saló Ocasió displays more than 2,000 semi-new vehicles sourced from zero-kilometer registrations, executive use, courtesy fleets, rental companies, and renting firms.

Previous Exhibition Attracted 15,000 Visitors

Last year’s event concluded with 15,000 visitors and more than 1,100 vehicle sales, generating a total business volume of approximately 26 million euros. The average price of the vehicles exhibited during the previous edition stood at 24,200 euros. Organizers expect the enhanced parking facilities at the Gran Via venue to help attract a larger audience this year compared to the 15,000 attendees recorded in the previous edition.

Saló Nàutic and Maritime Sector Innovations at Port Vell

For enthusiasts, professionals, and lovers of the nautical sector, Barcelona serves as a hosting venue from October 14 to 18, dates during which Port Vell and Moll de la Fusta host the Saló Nàutic, a space featuring hundreds of watercraft, high-end brands, and new areas dedicated to nautical sports, destinations, water experiences, and electric boats. The first day of the event was quiet with a steady influx, especially at midday, in the words of Josep Antoni Llopart, director of the show, who noted that exhibitors reported positive figures. Specifically, around 20,000 people are expected to walk through the various stands over the five days. Llopart stated that the early impressions show visitors are of quality, representing those who view the sector as a benchmark rather than just strolling. Featuring a display of about 200 boats both in the water and on land, the Saló Nàutic presents its candidacy to be an international benchmark. Among the participating companies, De Antonio Yachts has a long history in the nautical sector. Volem consolidar-nos com a referent internacional projectant Barcelona al món, explained Marc de Antonio, CEO of De Antonio Yachts. Its modern architecture-focused design and innovative engine make it one of the stars of the event. While De Antonio Yachts has a long track record, Kumbra Yachts is a relatively new company. Víctor Moure sought to build a product bringing together the positive aspects of competitors. Under the motto From Sailors to Sailors, the company presents three models at the show, standing out at Moll de la Fusta for bringing gray boats. Evidentment, tenim models blancs, però la nostra filosofia és vendre el vaixell dels somnis del comprador, argued Gerard Álvarez, marketing manager of the company.

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