With at least one infection confirmed in India by Thursday, the coronavirus scare is now gripping the Auto Expo, set to begin in a few days in the national capital region. The biggest automobile industry event in Asia, thousands of delegates from China are expected to attend it.
The organiser, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), along with co-organisers CII and ACMA, has been scampering around to reassure that there is no cause for concern.
“We have gone through the advisories....(and) are taking adequate precautions at the venue of the Auto Expo,” said Rajan Wadhera, president of SIAM. On Wednesday, Wadhera, along with other SIAM officials met union health ministry officials on the measures to be taken for the February 7-12 event in Greater Noida.
“It is a global health concern, and we have contacted Chinese companies about this,” said Deepak Jain, president of ACMA, the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India in Delhi today afternoon. “I have spoken to many [Chinese] bosses, we've had no cancellations from the Chinese side so far.”
A spokesperson for the external affairs ministry (MEA) also clarified on Thursday evening that there will be no cancellation or postponement of the Auto Expo. "All governments have put some health protocols in place," the MEA spokesperson said, but stated that "there is no restrictions on visitors from China."
If the flagging car and bike sales over the past 18 months or so was not enough, the auto industry's premier event has also been ravaged by a spate of no-shows this year. Hyundai, Honda, Toyota and Ford are some of the biggies staying away this year, and organisers had hoped that this will be made up for by participation from Chinese carmakers.
MG (Morris Garages) Motors is one of the Chinese car manufacturers who've tasted success in India in recent months and will be participating. Great Wall, a big Chinese player who hopes to enter the Indian market by making a splash at the Expo, is another. Scores of executives from Great Wall reportedly have already been at the venue for the last few days.
The importance of Chinese players is clear from just one statistic—at the subsidiary 'Components' show at Pragati Maidan, which has 400 international exhibitors, as many as half of these are Chinese companies. This, despite the fact that the Expo comes towards the end of the Chinese New Year holidays.
Organisers had queried health ministry officials on whether they should place thermal scanners like has been done at some of the bigger airports in the country to detect those who are infected. As of now, measures include increasing health screening and aid facilities across the venues, providing masks, as well as creating an increased emphasis on sanitising.
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“We want a safe show, so we're taking all precautions,” added Deepak Jain of ACMA.
Many Chinese companies have issued advisories for their executives in India to avoid all travel to China, and if that is not possible, to avoid travelling to the outbreak's epicentre of Wuhan. And accordingly, for those in China to avoid travelling abroad for the moment. While some have issued procedures to be followed for those returning from China, some are waiting for the Chinese New Year holidays to get over before issuing advisories.
With inputs from Mandira Nayar
