CANCELLED: 2020 New York Auto Show Is Officially Done For — The Next Show Will Be In April 2021

2017 Porsche 911 R | New York auto show debut

Well, so much for that one. In another bit of news that will shock few, the organizers of the New York Auto Show called off any plans for the event to take place this year. After the event in April was scrapped to transform Javits Convention Center into a field hospital for coronavirus patients, the show was rescheduled to September 2020. Now, the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association released another statement Friday saying the rescheduled event won’t happen either.

“As of today, the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center continued to be closed for all expo business due to its role as a field hospital for COVID-19 cases,” the statement begins. And while there are no patients in that facility right now, it’s currently on standby mode in the event new cases crop up in New York City. “Because of this, organizers of the New York International Auto Show have decided the next Show will take place April 2 – 11, 2021. Press days are March 31 & April 1.”

Here is the statement in its entirety:

“As of today, the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center continues to be closed for all expo business due to its role as a field hospital for COVID-19 cases. Although it currently has no patients, the facility remains set-up as an active hospital and is in standby mode for the foreseeable future. Because of this, organizers of the New York International Auto Show have decided the next Show will take place April 2 – 11, 2021. Press Days are March 31 & April 1.  

Since the beginning of this pandemic, we have worked closely with the Governor’s office and with Javits officials to protect our attendees,” said Mark Schienberg, president of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, the organization that owns and operates the New York Auto Show.  “We are extremely proud of the role the Javits Center has played during this difficult time, and we understand the need for it to remain ready to serve.

We also understand the immense planning needed for the automakers and their exhibit partners to construct a show of this magnitude. Because of the uncertainty caused by the virus, we feel it would not be prudent to continue with the 2020 Show and instead are preparing for an even greater 2021.

As representatives of automobile retailers, we know when this crisis passes there will be enormous pent-up demand for new vehicles in this region and across the country. We also know how important the Show is for consumers navigating the process,” Schienberg added.
In 2019, 72% of New York Auto Show attendees said they will buy or lease a new vehicle in the next 12 months, and 36% of them added brands to their consideration lists after visiting the Show.   With a rich 120-year history, the New York International Auto Show is America’s first and largest-attended auto show. The Show opened its doors in November 1900 and has been a premiere showcase for the industry ever since. We hope you are enjoying our “walk down memory lane” through the Show’s latest digital series Steering History: Iconic Moments of NYIAS, which has been appearing in inboxes every week since April 10, on what would have been opening day for the 2020 New York Auto Show.
Stay safe! We look forward to seeing you very soon.”