2020 Detroit Motor Show cancelled due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis

KUALA LUMPUR: In the past few weeks, we have observed cancellation of many auto shows and motorsports events, and the latest in the list is Detroit Motor Show. The cancellation comes at a critical time for the auto industry which is already witnessing the issue of vehicle production and supplier disruption because of the coronavirus crisis. 

The 2020 Detroit Motor Show, also known as the North American International Auto Show has been canceled as the venue of the show i.e. TCF Centre will now be used as a temporary field hospital for (FEMA) Federal Emergency Management Administration. TCF Centre will serve as a field hospital for the coronavirus patients for at least 6 months. 

The present cases of COVID-19 in the US are now more than in China and Italy. And if we talk about Michigan where Detroit is located, it is now becoming one of the major epicenters in the country. The COVID-19 positive cases in the state are 5,486 as of now with 132 deaths in total. While in Malaysia, the total positive cases are only 2,470 with 34 deaths.

In a recent press release, Rod Alberts, executive director of the show stated, “Although we are disappointed, there is nothing more important to us than the health, safety, and well-being of the citizens of Detroit and Michigan, and we will do what we can to support our community’s fight against the coronavirus outbreak.”

About the refund of the tickets, the organizers stated that all the purchased tickets including public show, industry preview and charity preview will be fully refunded. The charity preview ticket holders have the option to donate their refund amount to one of the nine designated charity preview beneficiaries. 

Also read: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Lockdown: Impact on International Motorsport