This story has been updated with additional information.
The Geneva Motor Show for 2022 has been cancelled, organizers blaming the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event was originally scheduled to take place next February. The move came despite shows in Chicago and Detroit occurring in recent months, although the New York International Auto Show elected to cancel its 2021 event scheduled for late August.
“We have pushed very hard and tried everything to reactivate the Geneva International Motor Show in 2022,” said Maurice Turrettini, president of the Comité permanent du Salon international de l’automobile, which organizes the event.
“Despite all our efforts, we have to face the facts and the reality: the pandemic situation is not under control and presents itself as a big threat for a large indoor event like GIMS. But we see this decision as a postponement, rather than a cancellation. I am confident that the Geneva International Motor Show will come back stronger than ever in 2023.”
What’s next?
The LA Auto Show is the next big event on the circuit, and it’s all systems go at this point.
“We are just about a month away from opening our doors and putting on a fantastic LA Auto Show,” Terri Toennies, the show’s president, told TheDetroitBureau.com in an email. “We know how important auto shows are for the industry and that consumers love being able to see such a diverse range of vehicles and activations all in one place.
“As planned, we will follow the LA County Public Health Department’s guidance to ensure a safe show which currently includes face masks at all times while visiting the show and proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to attend. We will also have onsite COVID testing for those who wish to test onsite.”
In the case of the Geneva show, organizers noted it wasn’t just potential issues with the virus causing them to reschedule. They noted the ongoing problem with the semiconductor shortage was really the focus of many automakers at the moment.
“Many exhibitors have indicated that the uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic make it impossible for them to make a firm commitment for GIMS 2022,” said Sandro Mesquita, Geneva International Motor Show CEO.
“On top of this is the negative impact that the current shortage of semiconductors has on car manufacturers. The chip crisis is likely to drag on well into next year, with negative financial implications for OEMs.
“In these uncertain times, many brands are therefore unable to make a commitment to participate in a trade fair that would have taken place in just over four months. When considering all the factors, it became clear that it was necessary to postpone the show, and to announce the news sooner than later to avoid cancelling at short notice.”