Coronavirus could kill off the auto show, once and for all

Workers dismantling The Michelin & Cie stand at Palexpo, the venue for the cancelled Geneva International Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland, on Feb 29. — Bloomberg

On Feb 25, Bentley executives were mobilising to debut the US$2mil (RM8.35mil) Bacalar at the Geneva Auto Show, announcing with the one-of-12 grand tourer their plan to double down on custom cars as the figurehead of the company’s business model.

By Feb 28, the show was canceled after fears of the coronavirus led Swiss officials to ban gatherings of more than 1,000 people. It was the first time the show had been canceled since World War II.