New Delhi,
August, 2021
The unabated pandemic and the dread of a third wave has taken its toll on the much awaited 16th edition of the Auto Expo 2022. Scheduled to have been held in February in NOIDA, the biennial event now stands postponed until further notice. The previous event was held in February 2020, just ahead of the first lockdown which happened in March 2020. This is the first time ever in the history of this biennial event first held in 1986 in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. As per a statement issued by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the new dates for Auto Expo 2022 will be decided later this year, depending on the COVID-19 situation and the dates of global auto shows on the OICA Calendar.
Rajesh Menon, Director General of SIAM reportedly said, “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.”
The 15th edition of Auto Expo 2020, held from 7-12 February, 2020 at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida, also had its moment of uncertainity in view of the slow down in the indian auto industry, and organisers did consider postponing it to 2021. Brands like BMW, Toyota, Honda, Ford, Fiat etc did not participate.
However, the organisers of the Geneva Motor Show have confirmed that the 91st edition of the motoring event will take place from February 17-27, 2022 at the Palexpo centre. Exhibitors are now being invited to register for their attendance. The Geneva Motor Show 2020 was called off in the last minute due to the pandemic and the 2021 edition was cancelled as not enough participation from exhibitors.
The biennial Paris Motor Show, which is held everty alternate year to the Frankfurt Motor Show, is returning after a gap of four years in 2022. Scheduled to be held from 17-23 October 2022, it returns in a new Avataar, as Paris Automotive Week 2022, in partnership with Equip Auto Trade Show. The Paris Automotive Week exhibition will be held in the usual Paris Expo venue at Porte de Versailles in the south-west of the city.
