The Brussels Motor Show took place last week.
This is, which was traditionally an internationally insignificant event at the beginning of the year, but of some interest locally because it was designed as a sales fair and is therefore good for numerous deals, especially with fleet customers.
This year, of course, the Geneva Salon, which is important in itself, will not take place in March, and so Brussels has attracted everyone's attention.
You could learn a lot on site.
More halls were filled than expected, all brands of rank and volume plus some up-and-coming Chinese manufacturers were on display.
The stands were kept rather sober, no outrageously expensive fuss, the car moves back into focus.
It's in good hands there, the interest of the spectators was high.
It turns out that just as people go to concerts again after Corona, book flights again and celebrate in ski huts again, trade fairs that were said to be dead are reviving.
It remains to be seen whether they will grow into the show they used to be, but the swan song was too soon.
This is of particular importance for the leading German trade fair IAA.
It had gotten out of hand at its main location in Frankfurt, too complicated, too expensive.
The decision, made in a blues mood, to relocate them to Munich and spread them across the city there in order to be somehow closer to the people, was questionable even then, it didn't catch fire.
The people of Munich are strangers, the concept is shapeless, the attempt should be stopped before others fill the gap or hasten.
The IAA belongs back to a reasonable level, back in exhibition halls,