The New York Auto Show has been cancelled for a second year in a row due to the rising threat of COVID-19 cases. Organisers have already confirmed that they hope to reschedule the event for the same time next year.
As Bloomberg reports, concerns regarding the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant was the driving force for the cancellation. “All signs were positive, and the show was coming together stronger than ever, but today is a different story,” Mark Schienberg, president of the New York Auto Show, said in a statement issued Wednesday.
The New York Auto Show has been a 121-year old tradition for the city. This cancellation comes just weeks after Governor Andrew Cuomo expressed gratitude for the show’s return as it contributes $300 million (approximately R4,3 billion) to the local and state economy.
This year’s event was set to be held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Centre once again with a press day commencing the event on the 19th of August. It’s understood that close to 1 000 vehicles would have been spread across one million square feet of exhibit space.
Last year, this same location was being used as a field hospital to aid in the COVID-19 pandemic treatment. This forced organisers to push the show to April of this year which was then postponed for next month before being cancelled.
The organisers expressed confidence the show will return to its regular spring schedule in April 2022.
The New York Auto Show joins the Tokyo Auto Salon in the group of events that have been cancelled due to COVID-19-related concerns.
