China delegates cancel Auto Expo 2020 visit amid Coronavirus scare

Chinese delegates to an upcoming international auto show in New Delhi have cancelled their trip in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, airline and auto industry executives said.

“Many groups were coming for auto expo. Most of them have cancelled," said a senior airline official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The development is a blow to the organizers of the biennial 6-9 February auto parts show and 7-12 February automobiles exhibition.

China is the world’s largest automobile market and this was the first time Chinese manufacturers were participating in the main auto show.

However, a senior representative of the automobile and auto-component industry said none of the Chinese companies have pulled out of the show and that local representatives are expected to take on the work.

“We will take all precautionary measures and have been in touch with them (the companies). As of now there have been no pull outs (by exhibitors). We have assessed the situation but we can’t see any adverse impact. It’s is a global health concern but we will take all precautionary measures," said Deepak Jain, president, Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India in a press conference on Thursday.

According to two industry executives, most of the executives scheduled to travel from China were expected to attend the component show

“The Chinese auto majors may also have delegates including media persons from China since they are participating for the first time," one of the executives said.

biman.mukherji@livemint.com