The automotive industry was dealt a heavy blow when the Geneva Motor Show was canceled at the last minute. However, the effects of the coronavirus are still being felt.
The latest victim is press drives as we were originally scheduled to get behind the wheel of the 2021 Chevrolet TrailBlazer next week. That event has now been canceled out of an “abundance of caution.”
Given that flights and accommodations were already booked and the company had a number of events and presentations planned, this will likely hit their bottom line. That being said, Chevrolet noted “Our top priority is the safety of our media guests and employees.”
Also Read: Geneva Motor Show Canceled As Government Bans Large-Scale Events
GM’s position is understandable and a number of companies are limiting travel or asking employees to work from home. That’s particularly true in Seattle, Washington where companies such as Amazon, Google and Facebook have asked employees to telecommute.
Outside of the tech industry, automakers have been hammered by the coronavirus. A number of plants were shuttered in China last month and this resulted part shortages. Sales in China also plummeted and Jaguar Land Rover suggested they might not be able to recoup them.
In Europe, approximately 150 BMW employees were told to self-quarantine after one of their co-workers tested positive for COVID-19. Other companies, such as Italdesign, have also temporarily closed in the name of safety.
Our main priority is the protection and safety of our team and the entire population. in collaboration with Health Authority we decided to close on 24 and 25 February. As a precaution against the spread of Coronavirus, we will continue our business through Smart Working. pic.twitter.com/mZmMGStjd6
— Italdesign (@italdesign) February 24, 2020
Getting back to the United States, the CDC says there are 99 confirmed and “presumptive positive” cases of COVID-19 in America – excluding people repatriated from Japan and Wuhan, China. California and Washington are among the hardest hit states, but there have also been cases or suspected cases in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.
Officials have suggested more cases are likely in the future as the virus is now spreading person-to-person in the United States. The CDC recommends people avoid close contact with those who are sick, cover their coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and clean frequently touched surfaces on a daily basis. They also recommend washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and staying home when you are sick.
We’ll be driving the 2021 TrailBlazer at some point in the future, but the cancellation of the event makes us wonder if more plans will be aborted down the road. In the meantime, all eyes are on the New York Auto Show which is still scheduled to kick off on April 8th.
