India’s biggest automobile trade fair – Auto Expo 2022 – has been postponed. In an official communication, organiser Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has said that the Auto Expo – The Motor Show 2022, currently scheduled from February 2-9, 2022 at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida, has been postponed. 

The specific dates for the next edition of Auto Expo – The Motor Show would be finalised later this year, keeping in view the Covid situation and in alignment with the OICA calendar of global auto shows.

SIAM says the postponement of the biennial show is to ensure safety of exhibitors, visitors and all stakeholders involved and present at the Expo.

The apex industry body said, “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." 

SIAM added, "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."

Industry stakeholders have begun sending in their comments. According to Ravneet Phokela, chief business officer, Ather Energy, "Ather Energy wasn't planning to participate in the Auto Expo. Given the impending danger of a third Covid wave, it’s a good idea to limit these large-scale events."

The postponement of India’s Auto Expo 2022 is in line with global trends. In April this year, the 2021 Tokyo Motor Show was cancelled for the first time since the inaugural event in 1954, due to the ongoing pandemic.