The showpiece event of the Indian automotive industry – the New Delhi Auto Expo – The Motor Show has been postponed keeping in view the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country.
The biennial show was earlier scheduled from February 2-9, 2022 at India Expo Mart in Greater Noida.
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 global auto shows, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) announced earlier today.
In a press statement, the nodal industry body said, “Safety of exhibitors, visitors and all stakeholders involved and present at the expo is the topmost 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.”
While expressing uncertainty around how COVID-19 would develop in the coming months, SIAM said organising the Auto Expo would need a lead time of preferably a year. The magnitude of the risk of spread of infection is extremely high in a B2C show like Auto Expo, which is visited by large crowds and maintaining social distance would be difficult, the association noted.
The 2020 edition of the Auto Expo saw around 600,000 people attend the event.