COVID-19 Delta variant forces cancellation of New York Int'l Auto Show

The upcoming New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), scheduled to open in just two weeks, has been canceled. Increased COVID-19 Delta variant measures have forced the organizers to cancel one of the largest — and oldest — automotive shows in the US.

NYIAS President Mark Schienberg recently issued a statement regarding the event’s cancellation.

“It is with great disappointment that the upcoming 2021 New York International Automobile Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center has been canceled due to the growing incidences of the COVID-19 Delta variant and the increased measures announced recently by State and local officials to stop its spread.

“We are enormously appreciative of the automobile industry’s tremendous response and commitment in participating in an August New York Auto Show, and especially for the overwhelming involvement in the new EV Test Fest, complete with an entire floor dedicated to electric vehicles and four indoor EV test tracks.”

The EV Test Fest would have been host to the latest electrified models from Chevrolet, Ford, Kia, Nissan, Polestar, Porsche, Volkswagen, and Volvo. Here, three indoor tracks were planned as well as a showcase of charging solutions and EV-related exhibits from suppliers and OEMs.

Other specialty exhibits scheduled for the August NYIAS were the Micro Mobility Track (for electric bikes and scooters) and the Camp Jeep (an outdoor obstacle course that includes an 18-foot-tall “Jeep Mountain”).

According to the NYIAS President, “as custodians of the 121-year-old New York Auto Show, we are committed to providing a safe environment for everyone including attendees, exhibitors, and the thousands of men and women who put the Show together. Over the past few weeks, and especially within the last few days, circumstances have changed making it more difficult to create an event at the high standard that we and our clients expect.”

“The COVID pandemic has challenged our City, the country, and the entire world, but just like the automobile industry, we know that the New York Auto Show will rebound and be bigger and better than before.”

“We firmly believe that will be the case when the Show returns to its regular spring schedule in April 2022.”

Photos from New York International Auto Show

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