In entirely unsurprising news, this year’s New York Motor Show will not take place in April as planned to “protect attendees, exhibitors and all participants from the coronavirus”.

It’s the third big motor show to be canned in the last couple of weeks – Geneva was cancelled outright just days before it was due to begin, and after much of the set-up work had been completed, while Beijing has been postponed indefinitely.

New York’s organisers have at least announced some new dates – the baying masses will be allowed in on August 28th, and the show will close EOP on September 6th. President of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (which runs the show) Mark Schienberg said: “For 120 years, ‘the show must go on’ has been heavily embedded in our DNA, and while the decision to move the show dates didn’t come easy, our top priority remains with the health and well-being of all those involved in this historic event.”

The New York Motor Show contributes US$330million to the local economy, says the organisation.

STORY Tom Harrison