North American International Auto Show 2020 canceled due to coronavirus outbreak

The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit has been canceled as the coronavirus continues to spread across Michigan. The cancellation comes as the Federal Emergency Management Agency is expected to repurpose the TCF Center, a NAIAS site in downtown Detroit, into a temporary field hospital.

All tickets purchased for the 2020 North American International Auto Show, including Public Show, Industrial View and Charity View, will be fully refunded.

"While we are disappointed, nothing is more important to us than the health, safety, and well-being of the citizens of Detroit and Michigan, and we will do everything we can to support our community's fight against the coronavirus outbreak," NAIAS said. Executive Director Rod Alberts. "With over 100 convention centers and facilities across the country considered potentially temporary hospitals, it's become clear to us that the TCF Center will be an unavoidable healthcare option for our community's urgent medical needs."

NAIAS postponed to 2021

The North American International Auto Show was scheduled for June for the first time this year (usually held in January). The TCF center will serve as a field hospital for the foreseeable future and NAIAS will not be operational until June 2021. Current NAIAS chairman Doug North said show officials are discussing fundraising plans later this year. This event will benefit children's charities that have been identified as beneficiaries of the 2020 charity event.

“We know that these organizations rely on the money raised in the Charity Preview to fund many wonderful support services for the most vulnerable in our community,” North said. "With that in mind, we will be contacting charities in the near future to present some ideas."

North, who will be chairman of the 2021 North American International Auto Show, also expressed his gratitude to all exhibitors.

“The level of enthusiasm for the 2020 show has been extraordinary, and we are deeply grateful for the support from our OEM partners and our more than 200 valued sponsors, as well as the city of Detroit and Michigan,” he continued. “We will be ready to unleash that energy and enthusiasm when June 2021 rolls around to create the best show and experience ever. We look forward to literally reimagining the dealership landscape with fresh ideas and innovative opportunities to energize mobility and partnerships.”

The North American International Auto Show in Detroit has been canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Ticket refunds and donations

Charity Preview ticket holders will be given the option of a refund or the option to donate proceeds to one of the nine designated Charity Preview beneficiaries. The NAIAS box office will contact all ticket holders. Likewise, the NAIAS sponsorship team will contact each sponsor directly to answer questions regarding refunds and their contracts.

“One of the hallmarks of NAIAS from the very beginning has been our commitment to social responsibility,” said Alberts. “We continue to think of those whose lives have been affected by this devastating virus. And we support the City and State's mission to save lives in the face of this challenging situation."

2021 North American International Auto Show

· motor bella: Friday, June 11 - Monday, June 14.

· Gallery: Monday, June 14

· Press preview: Tuesday, June 15 - Wednesday, June 16

· AutoMobili-D on the PlanetM platform: Tuesday, June 15 - Thursday, June 17

· Industry overview: Wednesday, June 16 - Thursday, June 17

· Preview: Friday, June 18

· public show: Saturday, June 19 - Saturday, June 26.

BlogAvto staff covers news, trends and technology from the automotive industry, as well as new vehicle releases. BlogAvto is owned and operated by Gearhead Media LLC., based in Detroit, Michigan and Berlin, Germany.