2020 Geneva motor show set for axe due to coronavirus
2020 Geneva motor show
Car industry's biggest annual event is canned following continued spread of Covid-19
This year’s Geneva motor show is set to be cancelled due to the continued spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus.
Organisers are understood to be finalising an announcement after several confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Geneva and other parts of Switzerland. There has been a substantial outbreak of the coronavirus, which originated in China, in northern Italy recently, with cases announced in a number of other European countries.
While organisers initially said that the motor show, the biggest event in the automotive calendar, would continue, they said they were monitoring the situation, recent moves by authorities in Geneva and Switzerland to try and limit the spread of Covid-19 – mean they are set to finally pull the plug.
On Friday morning, the Swiss government banned large gatherings. In a statement, the cabinet said: “In view of the current situation and the spread of the coronavirus, the Federal Council has categorised the situation in Switzerland as ‘special’ in terms of the Epidemics Act. Large-scale events involving more than 1,000 people are to be banned. The ban comes into immediate effect and will apply at least until 15 March."
The show was due to open to press on Tuesday 3 March before opening to the public from 5-15 March. Around 602,000 people attended the show last year.
Several companies had already changed their plans in the days leading up to the confirmation. Audio firm Harman pulled its stand earlier this week, with EV start-up Byton following suit last night. Autocar understands several firms had expressed concerns over the show continuing, and were in the process of reworking their plans for the event.
This year's Chinese Grand Prix, due to take place in April, has already been postponed due to the coronavirus, along with other major events outside the automotive world, including the forthcoming Ireland vs Italy Six Nations rugby match. A number of Italian Serie A football games due to take place this weekend will be played behind closed doors.
Moves to combat the spread of Covid-19 could have a major impact on the car industry beyond the cancellation of Geneva. Car sales in China, which has been worst-hit by the virus, have slumped, and there are concerns about the supply of parts from the country, which remains a major manufacturing hub. For example, in its latest financial results Aston Martin noted that parts supply issues could potentially delay the launch of the DBX SUV.
Hyundai was also forced to close on its its factories on Friday in South Korea, which has the highest number of Covid-19 cases outside of China, after a worked tested positive for the virus.
More news to follow.
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