The Wait For Auto Expo 2022 Just Got Longer

Asia’s largest auto show, the Auto Expo, was set to return next year at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida for the 2022 edition, but the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has put a spanner in the works. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has announced that the biennial event that was scheduled to run from February 2-9, 2022, has been postponed indefinitely due to concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking about the update, Rajesh Menon, Director General of SIAM, stated, “The safety of exhibitors, visitors, and all stakeholders involved and present at the Expo is the topmost priority for SIAM. It is in this context that the Indian Automobile Industry and SIAM recognise the inherent risks in organising 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 organising Auto Expo would need a lead time of preferably a year. Also, Auto Expo is like a festival of celebration for the Indian automobile industry and we look forward to receiving maximum people with no fear of the spread of infection.”

“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,” he added. 

The 15th edition of Auto Expo was held at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida from February 7 to 12, 2020. The event saw various models, including BS6 updates, new launches, concepts, and electric vehicles from carmakers such as Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, Kia, Hyundai, and Great Wall Motors. You can read more about the previous edition right here.  

A future date for the Auto Expo is yet to be determined, but SIAM has hinted it could be announced later this year. That being said, it all depends on the pandemic situation so the next date could be set later this year or even at the next biennial date in 2024.