Biennial auto show, which welcomes 1.3 million visitors, has been cancelled owing to fears of rising Covid cases
The 2021 Tokyo Motor Show will be cancelled over fears of rising Covid cases, Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association Chairman Akio Toyoda said.
The biennial event, scheduled to take place in the autumn, was last held in October 2019 and has a proud 67-year history. This marks the first time the show has been cancelled.
“The Tokyo Motor show is being canceled, not delayed,” Toyoda told Bloomberg. “It’s difficult to hold the event in a way in which many people will be able to experience the appeal of mobility in a safe and secure environment.”
The decision comes as a blow to the beleaguered auto industry, which was showing signs of recovery after a slew of cancelled trade shows and falling sales defined 2020. Toyoda also confirmed the Japanese carmakers would not look to move to a virtual event.
“The Tokyo Motor show collaborates with a number of industries to envision a new future for mobility,” Toyoda added. “It welcomes 1.3 million people in person. We don’t want to hold the event online, we want to hold it in-person. That’s why we’ve chosen to cancel the show this time.”
Meanwhile, the Shanghai Auto Show has gone ahead showcasing new launches from Chinese OEMs and China-only launches by international carmakers.
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