The 79th annual Montreal International Auto Show had a solid year in terms of visitors, with 168,447 people who came to the event Jan. 19 to 28.

This represents a 14 per cent increase over the previous year.

“The public turned out in force this year. The return of major manufacturers who were absent last year, the diversity of the offer and a three-floor show convinced the general public to visit us. With such encouraging figures, we hope to persuade even more major brands to return to the show next year,” said Luis Pereira, executive director of the event, in a news release issued Jan. 29.

The 2024 event, presented by iA Financial Group and produced by the Montreal Automobile Dealers Corporation, featured exhibits from car makers, along with Luc Poirier’s Ferrari collection, modified vehicles and vehicles dedicated to leisure and motorized sports.

A charity preview gala on Thursday, Jan. 18 at Palais des congrès raised a total of $572,800, which was donated to five hospital foundations in the Greater Montreal area.

The next Montreal Auto Show will be in January 2025.

“The next edition of the auto show looks very promising. With the new direction we’ve taken this year, the enthusiasm of our visitors and the growing presence of major brands, we’re sure that the 80th edition will be a real showstopper,” said Denis Dessureault, executive vice-president of the auto show, in the news release.