DDOR BG Car Show and Motopassion ceremoniously opened by Minister Vesić

The DDOR BG Car Show 08 and the 16^th International Motorcycle, Quad, Scooter, and Equipment Fair “Motopassion” were ceremoniously opened on March 20^th, at the end of the “press day” dedicated to media professionals, one day before the first visitors enter the exhibition halls.

This unique trade fair event and the most significant annual event in the automotive and motorcycle industry sector in the region and Southeast Europe, held at the Belgrade Fair from March 21^st to 27^th, 2024, was ceremoniously opened in Hall 1 by Goran Vesić, Minister of Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure in the Government of the Republic of Serbia.

He reminded that this is the 86^th year in organizing vehicle exhibitions in Belgrade, emphasizing that it is a tradition not seen often worldwide.

“A large number of renowned exhibitors, the latest models, innovative technical and technological solutions, and a huge number of visitors only confirm that Serbia is a leader in the field of transportation in this part of Europe,” Vesić emphasized.

The Minister then highlighted the necessity of adapting to changes in traffic and the automotive industry.

“Serbia currently has a low percentage of electric vehicles, around 1%. However, with the commencement of electric vehicle production by Stellantis in Serbia, we can expect to see a significant increase in numbers,” he stated.

“As a country, we have continued our subsidy program this year, with a notable change as subsidies are now exclusively allocated to electric vehicles. Additionally, we remain committed to expanding our infrastructure. The recent enactment of the Planning and Construction Law announces significant changes in this regard. We have recently concluded a tender for the installation of new electric vehicle charging stations, for 16 different locations along the highways. Each of these “green oases” will have between 5 and 20 charging points. Installation is set to commence shortly. By the end of the year, we expect to have 33 new chargers along our highways, in addition to the existing 80. This will bring the total to 113 chargers, without imposing obligations on gas stations to provide a certain number of electric chargers.”

“Furthermore, the Planning Law stipulates the provision of electric chargers at designated parking spaces within buildings, particularly in commercial establishments. These regulations will continue to be refined and enforced rigorously. We are also developing distinct markings for electric vehicles, recognizable alphanumeric symbols on license plates, which would allow for reduced or symbolic toll charges on our highways. We will also allow local authorities to waive parking fees for electric vehicles.”

“We have also decided to install hydrogen dispensers at the “green oases”, as there are more and more trucks using this fuel. We will have them at four locations in Serbia,” announced Minister Vesić.

Aleksandra Đurđević, president of the Serbian Association of Vehicle and Parts Importers, noted that this fair is more serious than the recent one in Geneva, as “here we have even 30 brands presenting 34 automotive premieres, and in motorcycles, 22 brands and 52 premieres.”

Đurđević insisted that “zero emissions are an absolute direction and path that the automotive industry has taken when it comes to this issue.” “Global orientation is to electric vehicles, although electrification is currently a quite controversial topic globally. However, today there is no car manufacturer that does not have at least one electrified model in its product range.”

“In Europe,” she said, “we have a share of electric vehicles of up to 14%, while our country has only 1% of electric cars, but it is still in development. This is the fourth year we have subsidies for electric vehicles, so it is important that subsidies continue and meet the need for the presence of electric vehicles. It is also important that we have announcements of serious infrastructure development for electric vehicles, which are definitely our future,” concluded Đurđević.

Francesco Masci, President of the Executive Board of DDOR Insurance Novi Sad, a sponsor of this event, said that he is honored to represent DDOR Insurance Novi Sad as part of the Unipol Group of European dimensions.

He wanted to draw attention to the issue of cybersecurity, considering that a whole range of information and data is transmitted via the Internet and therefore it is necessary to protect them from cyber attacks, which are becoming more frequent and sophisticated. All this in the light of the increasing interconnected mobility, which the Unipol Group predicted several years ago as the founder of the Research Center for Mobility at the Institute for Urban Mobility. “An increasing amount of information is shared both with devices nearby and remote devices. Cyber risk is the most serious threat to individuals and corporations, and it is expected to continue to develop and also impact vehicles. Needless to say, cyber criminals are preparing to exploit potential vulnerabilities in vehicle security. The automotive industry is therefore under the increasing pressure, which will significantly affect the integration of responses to this problem in all phases of a vehicle’s life, from production to use.”

“The automotive industry is going through a phase of comprehensive changes, driven among other things by market demand and autonomous mobility. Technology can certainly provide answers to some of these problems and enable tools in this sector. Cybersecurity must be integrated not only in new vehicles but also in the entire infrastructure that supports services to prevent risks and data losses and ensure a secure environment for people and their property,” said Masci.

The ceremonial opening was also attended by Minister of Economy Slobodan Cvetković and the director of the Belgrade Fair, Danka Selić.

* * *

The Serbian Association of Vehicle and Parts Importers, which gathers all potential exhibitors at the fair, announced at this fair the presentation of all new models for all brands represented in our market. Visitors and potential buyers are offered the opportunity to participate in a unique event, during which about 230 exhibitors will be presented, with more than 30 automotive brands and 38 premieres.

At the “Motopassion” fair, under the slogan “Passion that drives you”, around 50 exhibitors have secured their place, with more than 30 brands and 60 premieres.

The list of prominent fair participants also includes financial institutions and insurance companies, professional organizations, clubs, associations, and specialized media. This particularly applies to banks, leasing, and insurance companies, whose task is to prepare favorable financial arrangements in the current specific market conditions, in collaboration with sellers and distributors. This aims to provide customers with more favorable financing terms, benefits in additional vehicle equipment, extended warranties, or servicing conditions for the same amount of money.

SCHEDULE BY HALLS

In Hall 1: Mazda, Nissan, MG, Škoda, Subaru, Isuzu, Toyota, Honda, Opel, Peugeot, Suzuki, Fiat, Abarth, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Citroen, Chery, Ford, Hyundai, Dacia, Renault, Kia, Volvo, Geely, Lynk&Co.

In Hall 3: Mercedes, Maybach, BMW, and Mini.

In Hall 3A – light commercial vehicles and exhibitors of the LCV program – Mercedes, Renault, Dacia, Fiat Professional, BG Plast (manufacturer of add-ons) will also present a mini exhibition of Chinese electric vehicles organized by Ferum company from Šid (passenger and light delivery vehicle by BAW – Pony model, light delivery vehicle by Runhorse – J2-P model, and five-seater SUV by Dayun – Yuehu model).

At the “Motopassion” fair in Hall 4, the following motorcycle, ATV, and scooter brands will be presented: BMW, Honda, KTM, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Motomorini, SYM, Yamaha, Ducati, Benelli, Zontes, QJ Motor, Kymco, Keeway, Polaris, Indian, Triumph, Husqvarna, GASGAS, Jawa, Linhai, Malaguti, CAN AM, Odes, Segway, Loncin, Voge, Peugeot, Peda, Kove.

The accompanying automotive equipment will be in Halls 2 and 1A.

ACCOMPANYING PROGRAM

Car and motorcycle enthusiasts, as well as the more knowledgeable segment of guests and the public, are already aware that this unique auto-moto event at the Belgrade Fair will offer them a rich program of informational, educational, entertaining, competitive, and prize-winning content.

The traditional press rally this year will be organized in a completely different, “premiere” format called Digital Gaming Press Rally, and it will take place on simulators in UNS exhibition space in Hall 2, level A. The first race will be held on March 20^th at 3 p.m., and the game is configured on the Ušće track, simulating driving of the “Yugo” national class. The competition in two categories will last until March 24^th, and the results will be announced on the UNS website on March 25^th.

Friday, March 22^nd, is planned as “Family day“, a family day for visitors who want to visit this fair with their families at privileged prices. The ticket price is RSD 1,000.

On Monday, March 25^th, at 5 p.m., in Hall 1, the selection for “Miss DDOR BG Car Show 08 & Motopassion” will take place, which is a key event of this trade fair for many, and is not to be missed under any circumstances.

The announcement of “The Best in Car Industry” by the Automotive Forum will also take place on Monday, March 25^th, at 6 p.m., in the Assembly Hall of the administrative building.

Oldtimers will be presented in two ways this time – at an exhibition that will be set up throughout the duration of the fair, located in Hall 2, and on Sunday, March 24^th, a traditional parade of oldtimers will be held on the plateau in front of the administrative building.

The central accompanying professional conference – Puma Car Conference 2024 – organized by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Belgrade, the Serbian Association of Vehicle and Parts Importers, and the Belgrade Fair, with the support of the Ministry of Science, will be held on Tuesday, March 26^th, 2024, in the Banquet Hall of the administrative building, from 11 am to 1:30 pm. The conference theme is Green Mobility.

NAVAK, the National Driving Academy, will organize daily driver education on safe driving techniques in the atrium of the Belgrade Fair.

STRATEGIC PARTNERS – The Serbian Association of Vehicle and Parts Importers, the Association of Road Vehicle Manufacturers of Serbia, and the general sponsor company DDOR Insurance Novi Sad – are once again indispensable and competent partners in the realization of these events.