China’s biggest car show delayed over coronavirus concerns

The 2020 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2020), which is supposed to be held between April 21 and April 30, has been delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to the sponsors CCPIT-AUTO, SINOMACHINT, CIEC (China International Exhibition Center Group Corporation) and SAE China.

（Photo source: official website of the Auto China)

The decision was made by the organizers to “ensure the safety and health of exhibitors and audiences”.

The date on which the motor show will finally kick off still remains unknown. There are some sources revealing that the exhibition may be postponed to the third quarter of the year and is in likelihood to overlap the Chengdu Motor Show, which is usually held in September.

The Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, also known as Auto China, is a biennial international automobile show that alternates with the Auto Shanghai as China's yearly international automotive exhibition. As of 2018, it had been successfully held for 15 times. At the previous show, more than 1,200 exhibitors from 14 countries showcased 1,022 vehicles in total, of which 105 models were seen by the public for the first time.

Beijing has activated the first-level public health emergency response. Putting off the show is for the sake of the epidemic prevention and control.

According to local reports, such premium models as the all-new BMW X5 M, the all-new Land Rover Defender, the Audi Q3 Sportback, the new Audi A4L/A5 and the new Mercedes-Benz GLA are said to be displayed at the Auto China 2020. Among them, the all-new Land Rover Defender and the new Mercedes-Benz GLA will make their debut then.