The Montreal International Auto Show (MIAS), presented by iA Financial Group, warmly invites the public to celebrate 125 years since the arrival of the automobile in Montreal, with a show that’s more innovative than ever.

This 79th edition of the SIAM will mark the long-awaited return of major brands absent last year, such as Ford, Lincoln, Genesis, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen and McLaren. To everyone’s delight, businessman and collector Luc Poirier will also be on hand to present his collection of 30 Ferraris dating from 1971 to the present day, a collection estimated at over fifty million dollars!

This year’s SIAM promises major new features on three levels, including areas dedicated to leisure and motorsports vehicles, Autosports zones featuring exceptional cars and modified motorcycles, and sections devoted to muscle cars and racing cars, to name but a few of the planned attractions. This year’s edition of the Auto Show will be undeniably special, celebrating 125 years of the automobile in Montreal.

1899-2024: 125 years of the automobile in Montreal

While the 2024 Montreal International Auto Show will feature a wide range of electric vehicles, it’s worth remembering that the first horseless carriage in Montreal was steam-powered. It was on November 21st, 1899 that the first car, that of Ucal-Henri Dandurand, took to the streets of Montreal. It was nicknamed the “ghost car” because of its two carbide headlights. It was delivered with a flesh-and-blood mechanic, who gave its owner a two-month training course to learn how to share the road with horses and carriages.

The car also had four wheels, a two-person seat and six water tanks, enabling it to travel a distance of around 150 kilometres. The car was capable of speeds in excess of 40 km/h, but its driver never drove faster than 7 km/h. He was able to use it for three months before it broke down and the carmaker bought it back (Source and info: History Canada).

SIAM 2024 invites you to experience 125 years of evolution in auto-mobility for 10 days of discoveries at the Palais des congrès de Montréal from January 19 to 28, 2024!