Automakers Are Opting Out Of Booth Models For One Of The World's Biggest Car Shows

By, 2018-03-04

One of the most prestigious auto shows in the world, the Geneva Motor Show, starts in a few days. That show will have noticeably fewer female booth models standing near cars in heels and tight clothing, according to Bloomberg. Three cheers for not using women’s physical appearance to help sell products!

Switzerland’s Geneva Motor Show announced it will have about 180 exhibitors on its show floor this year, which will be the 88th Geneva show since it began in 1905. The show expects more than 700,000 people to visit and 900 cars to be on display, but a lot of those cars won’t have something we’ve been accustomed to seeing: women commonly referred to as “booth babes,” often in high heels and revealing clothing near the cars and technology on display.

Among companies not using traditional booth models in Geneva this year are Nissan, Ssangyong Motor Co., Lexus, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, PSA Group, Renault SA, Pirelli and Lamborghini. Most of those companies plan to have various people who have been trained in talking about the vehicles at the Geneva booths in more toned-down clothing, according to Bloomberg.

Bloomberg reports that unlike last year’s women in short silver dresses and black heels in Geneva, South Korea’s Ssangyong Motor Co. will have people in sportswear promoting the cars. Lamborghini and PSA Group, which is over brands like Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel and Vauxhall, will do similar things. Unnamed sources said FCA canceled several model contracts for the upcoming show, too, Bloomberg reports.