The 2020 Geneva International Motor Show Has Been CANCELED:

The 90th Annual Geneva International Motor Show has been canceled. Just days before the opening of the event with the construction of the stands being very nearly complete, organizers have announced that one of the world’s biggest auto shows has been canceled due to concerns of the coronavirus diseases that has been spreading across the globe.

A week ago, organizers held a press conference announcing the official schedule of the 90th Annual Geneva International Motor Show and at that time there was nothing to suggest that the show wouldn’t go on. However, since then, the situation changed with the first confirmed coronavirus cases hit Switzerland. Since journalists around the globe attend the annual show, the decision to cancel the event and prevent more widespread of the virus was announced earlier today.

The Swiss Federal Council announced earlier this morning, that no events with more than 1,000 people are allowed to take place until March 15th, 2020. The decision falls only 3 days before the official media days of the show and now manufacturers are forced to start dismantling their exhibits. The financial consequences for all of those involved in the event are significant and will be assessed in the oncoming weeks. According to organizers, tickets that have already been purchased will be refunded.

“We regret this situation, but the health of all participants is our and our exhibitors’ top priority. This is a case of force majeure and a tremendous loss for the manufacturers who have invested massively in their presence in Geneva. However, we are convinced that they will understand this decision,” said Maurice Turrettini, Chairman of the Foundation Board. We would like to warmly thank all those involved in the organization of the 2020 edition of GIMS.

There are no plans to reschedule the Geneva show at the current time. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) was the only one of the Detroit’s big-three automakers to have scheduled press conferences at the show. According to the media press conference schedule, FCA had plans to show off products from the company’s Abarth, Alfa Romeo, FIAT, and Jeep® brands. One of those products was the upcoming Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA high-performance model. It is not known at this time if FCA will privately announce the products that were intentionally planned for the show.