- Saturday, April 05, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
THE Auto Expo, India’s leading automobile show, has been postponed because of the ongoing Covid-19 situation and apprehensions of a possible third wave, industry body SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers) on Monday (2) said.
The event was scheduled to take place in February next year. 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.
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The exact date for holding the next edition would be finalised later this year, keeping in view of the Covid situation and in alignment of the OICA (Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles or International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers) Calendar of global auto shows, he added.
Menon said that the safety of exhibitors, visitors and all stakeholders involved and present at the Auto Expo is the highest priority for SIAM. He said it is in this context that the Indian automobile industry and SIAM recognises the inherent risks in organising the Auto Expo due to the pandemic and the fears over a possible third wave, the top SIAM official said.
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He also said there is uncertainty around how Covid would develop in the coming months and organising the Auto Expo would need a considerable time for preparation.
“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 said.
The Auto Expo 2020 saw total footfalls of over six lakh (0.6 million) visitors. The country’s flagship auto event witnessed around 70 product launches and unveiling of 352 product displays from 108 exhibitors. The expo had also witnessed the launch of 35 electric vehicles.
(With PTI inputs)
