BMW Plans ‘Virtual’ i4 Premiere, Cancels Geneva Visit
Three days before the show was set to open to the media, organizers canceled the event after the Swiss Federal Council banned events with over 1,000 people until March 15.
The 90th edition of the GIMS, which was supposed to welcome the media from next Monday and the general public from March 5 to 15, will now finally not take place. This is in conjunction with the Federal Council of February 28 that no events with more than 1,000 people are allowed to take place until 15 March 2020. The decision falls three days before the opening of the exhibition to the media.
BMW representatives said, “Due to the current situation, the Geneva International Motor Show 2020 has been canceled. Of course, we understand this decision, but we also regret that the show cannot take place as usual. Instead, the BMW Group will present the program planned for Geneva, including the world premiere of the BMW Concept i4, at a digital press conference with the Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Oliver Zipse, in Munich at the originally planned time: Tuesday, March 3 at 8.15 a.m. CET.
You can follow the world premiere live at www.live.bmwgroup.com
Geneva International Motor Show organizers also accepted this decision, “We regret this situation, but the health of all participants is our and our exhibitors’ top priority. This is a case of force majeure and a tremendous loss for the manufacturers who have invested massively in their presence in Geneva. However, we are convinced that they will understand this decision,” said Maurice Turrettini, Chairman of the Foundation Board. We would like to warmly thank all those involved in the organization of the 2020 edition of GIMS.
A few days before the opening of the event, the construction of the stands was nearly complete. A week ago, during the press conferences announcing the 2020 edition, there was nothing to suggest that such a measure was necessary. The situation changed with the appearance of the first confirmed coronavirus diseases in Switzerland and the injunction of the Federal Council on February 28. The Geneva Motor Show is canceled due to this decision.
In the meantime, they are organizing the dismantling of the event. The financial consequences for all those involved in the event are significant and will need to be assessed over the coming weeks. One thing is certain: tickets already purchased for the event will be refunded. The organizers will communicate about this as soon as possible, via their website: https://www.gims.swiss/.
Photos: Geneva International Motor Show, BMW