India’s biggest automobile exhibition show, the Auto Expo's upcoming edition, which was scheduled from February 2-9, 2022, has been postponed due to concerns over the Covid-19 pandemic. The specific dates for the 2022 Auto Expo – The Motor Show would be finalized later this year, keeping in view the Covid situations and in alignment with the OICA calendar of global auto shows.
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The suspension of the 2022 Auto Expo is in line with global trends. Earlier, many motor shows around the world have either been delayed, cancelled, or digitized due to the potential threat of the COVID19 pandemic. Recently, the 2021 Tokyo Motor Show was also cancelled for the same reason.
In an official statement, the organizer Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has said that ''It is in this context that the Indian automobile industry and SIAM recognize the inherent risks in organizing the Auto Expo due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the apprehensions of a possible third wave. There is uncertainty around how Covid-19 would develop in the coming months and at the same time organizing Auto Expo would need a lead time of preferably a year.'' SIAM further added that "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 distancing would be difficult. It has therefore been decided to postpone the Auto Expo – The Motor Show for now."
The Auto Expo is Asia’s largest automotive event that provides automakers a platform to unveil their latest projects or launch new products with direct access to the attending public. The last edition of the Auto Expo was held in 2020 at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida from February 7 to 12, 2020. The event witnessed the display of various models, including BS6 updates, new launches, as well as many concept vehicles like Maruti Futuro E, MG Marvel X, Renault Kwid Electric, Volkswagen ID Crozz, Tata HBX, Tata Sierra, Haval Concept H, GWM R1, and the upcoming Volkswagen Taigun.
