Sicilia Motori, Pennica: “The expo in Mondello? A success, with a boom in visitors”

Last Updated: July 23, 2023

Sicilia Motori, Pennica: «L'expo a Mondello? Un successo, boom di visitatori»

#Palermo
The exhibition organized by Dario Pennica, director and founder of Sicilia Motori, “after the death of journalist Mario Francese, my mentor,” is a success in terms of numbers and models, despite those who did not believe in the event. Due to the heatwave that has affected the island in recent days, a large crowd of curious onlookers and visitors can be seen in the late hours: many selfies are taken with the Maserati Crono, the queen of this exhibition, and with the new electric Abarth models and the Hyundai Kona, presented for the first time at the Palermo exhibition.

While the first Palermitans are focusing on the details of the cars on display, the director, speaking through the microphone of Gds.it, a media partner with the Giornale di Sicilia, Rgs, and Tgs, summarizes the three-day event: “It is an increasing number of visitors – he emphasizes – the goal is precisely that: the format is to bring the market’s innovations among the people, in the most frequented places. We know that there is still room for improvement, but the organization is reliable and the car companies are pleased with the investment they have made.” Sicily represents one of the most important market segments, “we are around 4% for cars – says Pennica – 10% for motorcycles and even more if we consider scooters.”

The director also emphasizes how the event is beneficial for the city and the neighborhood of Mondello, a location that proves successful: “These are moments where income is redistributed, meetings take place, moments of leisure – he says – the impact is significant.” These numbers are probably making those who did not want to invest in the event uncomfortable: “Many of them have already booked a spot for next year – emphasizes Pennica – the numbers we are achieving in Palermo are higher than those in Catania but, in general, we are talking about an exhibition that reaches over one and a half million people between Catania and Palermo. Many have described it as ‘local,’ which is wrong. They don’t take into account that in addition to the many local visitors, Sicily attracts thousands of foreign tourists, who have been amazed and attracted by the models on display in these three days.”

The choices of Maserati and especially Hyundai are confirmed to be successful: the Korean company decided to present its latest model in Palermo, which received great public acclaim. However, it is Fiat that confirms and endorses the great work carried out by Sicilia Motori, “which has decided to bring the models of the Topolino and Microlino, which are having a nice derby – jokes Pennica – and the electric 600. This choice by Fiat, which presented these new models to the international press on July 4th and then chose us for their official public debut, is a badge of honor that we wear. It is a confirmation of our credibility and the authority of our work.”