Auto Expo 2022 postponed due to Covid: SIAM
NEW DELHI: The country’s leading automobile show, the Auto Expo, which was scheduled to take place in February next year at Greater Noida, has been postponed due to the Covid-19 situation and apprehensions of a possible third wave, industry body Society of Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) said on Monday.
The last edition of the biennial automobile show took place in February 2020.
“The magnitude of the risk of spread of infection is extremely high in a business-to-consumer (B2C) show like the Auto Expo which is visited by large crowds and maintaining social distancing would be difficult. It has therefore been decided to postpone the Auto Expo—The Motor Show for now,” SIAM director general Rajesh Menon said in a statement.
The exact date for the next edition of Auto Expo—The Motor Show would be finalised later this year keeping in view the Covid situation and in alignment with the OICA Calendar of Auto shows, he added.
Menon noted that safety of exhibitors, visitors and all stakeholders involved and present at the Auto Expo is the top most priority for SIAM.
It is in this context that the Indian automobile industry and SIAM recognises the inherent risks in organising the Auto Expo due to the on-going Covid-19 pandemic and the apprehensions of a possible third wave, he said.
Elaborating further, Menon noted that there is uncertainty around how Covid-19 would develop in the coming months and at the same time organising Auto Expo would need a lead time of preferably a year.
“Also, Auto Expo is like a festival of celebration, for the Indian auto industry and we look forward to receiving maximum people with no fear of spread of infection,” he added.
The Auto Expo 2020 saw total footfalls of over six lakh visitors. The country’s flagship auto show had witnessed around 70 product launches and unveils, 352 product displays from 108 exhibitors.
Keeping in pace with the trend of eco-friendly vehicles, the expo had also witnessed the launch of 35 electric vehicles.
The 15th edition of Auto Expo was held at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida from February 7 to 12, 2020. The event saw various models, including BS6 updates, new launches, concepts, and electric vehicles from carmakers such as Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, Kia, Hyundai, and Great Wall Motors. You can read more about the previous edition right here.
A future date for the Auto Expo is yet to be determined, but SIAM has hinted it could be announced later this year. That being said, it all depends on the pandemic situation so the next date could be set later this year or even at the next biennial date in 2024.