No show: Car makers fall victim to Geneva motor show virus cancellation
$400 million extravaganza cancelled as authorities ban mass gatherings in European hub, prompting manufacturers to rethink new model launches.
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Car makers are scrambling to attract the world’s attention after the world’s most significant motor show fell victim to coronavirus concerns.
Geneva international motor show organisers cancelled this year’s conference after the Swiss Federal Council banned events attracting more than 1000 people from taking place.
Originally slated to start today, the show’s cancellation has forced manufacturers to make alternative arrangements. Many host online broadcasts of their new models.
Mercedes-Benz’s updated E-Class, Porsche’s new 911 Turbo and McLaren’s 720S-based successor to the 675LT will make digital debuts.
Audi’s fresh A3 hatch and E-Tron S electric cars are coming, as is a DS concept car, Bentley’s Balaclar sports model and BMW’s vision for an i4 electric sedan.
Some manufacturers have already revealed cars that were on their way to Geneva.
They include the eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI, Citroen’s tiny Ami electric car, the Mercedes-AMG GLA45 and facelifted Hyundai i30.
First staged in 1924, the Geneva motor show is an important fixture on the automotive calendar as manufacturers around the globe meet in Switzerland to show their wares.
It is a favourite of the automotive industry, partly because it is held on neutral territory and does not favour local brands in the same way as the Frankfurt or Detroit motor shows have in the past.
The Geneva show has largely bucked a trend against motor shows within the car industry but the 2020 cancellation prompted industry observers such as Top Gear host Chris Harris to ask whether it signifies the end of an era.
Will there ever be another Geneva motor show?
— chris harris (@harrismonkey) February 28, 2020
Organisers expressed frustration with government officials who forced their hand three days before the show was due to take place.
Maurice Turrettini, chairman of the Geneva show’s foundation board, said it represents “a tremendous loss for the manufacturers who have invested massively in their presence in Geneva”.
Turrettini said the event was due to take place until coronavirus cases were confirmed in Switzerland, leading to the government ban on large events on Friday.
Associated Press reported the event was expected to generate up to 250 million Swiss francs ($400 million) in spending throughout the region.
Manufacturers spend in excess of $1 million on beautifully presented stages to attract the attention of the world’s automotive media.
Many of the motor show stands inside the show halls were near-complete, and are now being disassembled.
The Beijing motor show originally set for April has already been postponed.
The future of New York’s motor show in April is unclear.
Originally published as No show: Car makers fall victim to Geneva motor show virus cancellation
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