The Vancouver International Auto Show, which celebrates its 100th edition this year, has been postponed due to the increasing spread of the coronavirus (known as COVID-19).
The announcement was made on March 12 by the New Car Dealers Association (NCDA), which owns and operates the show. The event was originally set to take place at the Vancouver Convention Centre West between March 25-29.
“We are very grateful to all of our partners including the Vancouver Convention Centre, automakers, event sponsors and commercial exhibitors for their understanding and support for this decision,” said NCDA President and CEO Blair Qualey.
Postponing the show was a difficult decision for the organizers due to the preparation involved in celebrating the show’s centennial anniversary. Planning, they said, has been “years in the making” and included Opening Day special guests Roger Penske, an American businessman and entrepreneur involved in automotive racing, and Jimmy Pattison, who is described as a Canadian business magnate, investor, and philanthropist.
Furthermore, the show was set to feature a number of private vehicles and collections that have not been previously displayed for public viewing, along with several regional, national, and global automotive unveilings from top OEM brands.
A new date for the 2020 Vancouver International Auto Show has yet to be announced. Guests who purchased tickets for the show online will receive an email with instructions in the next week on how to receive a refund.
As of March 13, there are 53 confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the province of British Columbia.
