Frankfurt Auto Show Attendance Plunges 31%

Attendance at the just-ended Frankfurt auto show—considered one of the world’s premier events of its kind—plummeted 31% to 560,000 people, according to trade group VDA, which organizes the biennial event.

The show also was marred by environmental activists who partially blocked the entrance to the show during the opening weekend in protest of fuel-thirsty SUVs. The show also may have been impacted by the global climate strike that was held last Friday.

VDA says it remains optimistic about the show’s future. It points to the growing participation by startup tech companies and the presence of such giants as Google and Microsoft. VDA says 7,700 journalists from 95 countries attended this year’s show. The group also claims the show reached more than 250 million people through social media.

But VDA concedes that changes will be necessary in the future. This includes adopting a more interactive, hands-on format with additional facilities and outdoor venues throughout Frankfurt.

The show, whose contract with Frankfurt ended this year, also could be moved to another city. Media reports cite Berlin as a leading contender, noting the city is home to numerous startups and a tech-savvy population.