New York International Auto Show Pushed Back to August
Amid coronavirus pandemic, New York International Auto Show organizers reschedule show August 28 through September 6.
As of this writing, the coronavirus (a.k.a. COVID-19 or 2019-nCoV) was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. The effects of the virus — whose symptoms resemble the common cold or the flu in most cases — have taken a toll on major events and other gatherings in the United States. Major league sports have closed their locker rooms to media. The NCAA Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments are now fan-free for the entirety of the bracket. South by Southwest was cancelled.
The coronavirus also knocked out the 2020 Geneva International Motor Show, scheduled for March 5 through 15. It won’t claim the 2020 New York International Auto Show, though. According to FOX News, organizers have rescheduled the auto show, postponing it until late August.
“We are taking this extraordinary step to help protect our attendees, exhibitors and all participants from the coronavirus,” said Mark Schienberg, president of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, in a statement. “For 120 years, ‘the show must go on’ has been heavily embedded in our DNA, and while the decision to move the show dates didn’t come easy, our top priority remains with the health and well-being of all those involved in this historic event.”
Originally planned for April 10 through 19 at the Javits Center in Manhattan, with press days scheduled for April 8 and 9, the show will open to the public August 28, wrapping up September 6. Press days are set for August 26 and 27.
The rescheduled days place the New York Auto Show on the other side of the Detroit Auto Show, still set for June 7 through 20. The latter show already planned to host manufacturers and the public in June, having made the announcement in late July 2018, according to USA Today.
“We have already been in communication with many of our exhibitors and partners and are confident that the new dates for the 2020 Show will make for another successful event,” said Schienberg.
According to the show’s organizers, moving the New York Auto Show to late August will delay the $330-million “in economic benefit” to the city. Better to be delayed so that all can see the Porsches, McLarens and Ferraris to come, though.
Photos: Facebook/New York International Auto Show
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