Coronavirus casts shadow on Auto Expo; Chinese executives to stay away from exhibit areas

coronavirus outbreak has cast its show on India's flagship motor show Auto Expo that is beginning on Wednesday, with officials of participating Chinese firms staying away from ir exhibit areas in both automobile and components showcase events.

Automobile industry body SIAM on Tuesday said all Chinese companies participating at expo have confirmed that ir exhibit area would be manned by ir Indian employees. Similarly, auto component makers body ACMA said Chinese participants at components show of Auto Expo are unable to travel to attend due to outbreak of coronavirus in country, even as around 30 companies from re have confirmed that ir stand would be mand by ir Indian counterparts in ir absence.

According to industry sources, around 200 Chinese firms have applied to take part in components show but due to coronavirus outbreak only 30 have confirmed ir participation as on Tuesday. biennial automobile show kicks off on Wednesday with media presentations and will be officially inaugurated on Thursday. expo will be open to public from February 7-12 at India Expo Mart in Greater ida.

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On or hand, Auto Expo 2020 - Components Show is being held at Pragati Maidan here in Capital from February 6 to 9. In a statement, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) President Rajan Whera said, "All Chinese companies participating at Auto Expo – Motor Show 2020 have confirmed that ir exhibit area would be manned by ir Indian employees/representatives." ne of se stalls would be manned by anybody who has come to India recently from China, he ded. Whera furr said, "As all arrivals from China have w been stopped, re will be visitors/delegations from China at Motor Show 2020."

Similarly, Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) President Deepak Jain said in a statement all Chinese companies scheduled to participate have informed organisers that travellers from China scheduled to attend components show, are unable to travel to India due to prevailing conditions in China.

"However, around 30 companies from Chinese Group have confirmed that ir stand at Auto Expo 2020 – Components Show at Pragati Maidan, would be mand by ir Indian Counterparts in ir absence," he ded. Jain furr said, "As travel of Chinese Nationals to India has w been stopped, we refore do t expect visitors and delegates from China at Auto Expo 2020 – Components Show." Chinese firms led by likes of Great Wall Motor, First Automotive Works (FAW) and electric bus and battery maker BYD have booked around 20 per cent of total of around 40,000 square metres at automobile show of Auto Expo at Greater ida.

On or hand, Chinese component makers h book for around 10 per cent of 56,000 square metre at components show at Pragati Maidan. two industry bodies assured that despite coronavirus threat directly at Auto Expo 2020, organisers are taking equate measures to make people aware of symptoms and take prevention and containment actions.

India on Sunday anunced temporary suspension of e-visa facility for Chinese travellers and foreigners residing in neighbouring country and issued a fresh visory saying anyone with travel history to China since January 15 can be quarantined. India reported a third vel coronavirus case on Monday with ar Keralite student from Wuhan University in China testing positive for infection. Kerala government has declared coronavirus outbreak as a 'state calamity'. 

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