Torrelavega 25th Automobile Fair, 7–9 June 2013

The 25th Torrelavega Automobile Fair opened in the morning with the mayor, Ildefonso Calderón; Cantabria’s Government Delegate, Samuel Ruiz; Industry Minister Eduardo Arasti; Trade Fair Manager María Luisa Peón; and other local officials and representatives of Cantabria’s motor industry. The event ran from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 June 2013 and presented new models and trends from many brands on the market.

The anniversary edition occupied more than 9,000 square metres across indoor and outdoor areas, with passenger cars and other vehicles from across the sector. The mayor said that helping businesses meet customers and bringing events to the city were ways to support economic activity during the crisis.

On opening day, the mayor said that helping suppliers and customers meet and bringing events to Torrelavega were ways to encourage business activity and make the city more lively during the economic downturn.

A 25-year milestone

The fair presented commemorative plaques to brands and businesses that had taken part regularly during its first 25 years. The names cited included Banco Santander, Grumblau Motor S.A. and BMW J. Emilio Criado, Citroenmotos Lolo, Yamahamotos Jesús Saiz, Derbi/Beta Automóviles del Besaya, SEAT Parte Automóviles, Audiramon González y Hermanos, and Peugeot Caravanas Santander. The mayor said the recognition honoured exhibitors that had remained loyal to the motor show.

“We have not forgotten the companies and entrepreneurs who have shown great loyalty to the motor show over all these years,” the mayor said when explaining the commemorative awards.

Arasti thanked businesses for their effort to keep going through a difficult period and for taking part again. He hoped the fair would produce good results and help revitalise the automotive sector. Calderón said the council had reduced exhibitor fees to encourage sales and support businesses within its means, balancing the public interest with the event’s economic and social value for exhibitors and the city.

The regional industry minister acknowledged the difficult period faced by the automotive sector and referred to national and regional support for businesses and vehicle purchases. The Government of Cantabria contributed €20,000 to the 2013 fair. The mayor thanked the regional government for supporting the anniversary and the local motor trade.

The Industry Minister also referred to national and regional assistance, including direct support for the automotive sector and grants for vehicle purchases. Cantabria’s €20,000 contribution supported the 25th-anniversary fair.

Exhibitors and vehicles

The announcement reported 55 stands, including 25 car dealers, eight motorcycle dealers, seven van dealers, seven trailer dealers and seven caravan and motorhome dealers, together with auxiliary-industry exhibitors, four service-sector stands and several finance and insurance companies. The published total and the listed category counts do not reconcile: those five dealer categories alone add up to 54, before the additional stands. The source also noted that heavy vehicles such as lorries were absent because that market segment was going through a difficult period.

Visitors could see new cars and motorcycles, and several brands had requested outdoor space for vehicles that could be tested, including electric models. The fair also aimed to bring exhibitors and customers together and to draw visitors into the city.

Visiting information from the 2013 announcement

The fair took place at the La Lechera exhibition centre in Torrelavega. The announcement gave continuous opening hours of 10:30 to 20:30 through Sunday. Admission cost €2. Inside, visitors could use a rest area and café-bar; free parking was available.

The event budget was €50,000. The site was fenced and operated under a safety and traffic plan. Paseo Rochefort was closed to ordinary traffic, while Paseo del Niño was opened to two-way traffic. These arrangements refer to the 2013 fair and should not be used as current traffic or visitor guidance.

The original report credited Torrelavega City Council as its source.

Historical note: dates, exhibitors, prices, opening hours and traffic arrangements on this page refer to the 25th edition, held in June 2013.