The 2020 North American International Auto Show has been canceled and the TCF Center, formerly known as Cobo, will be turned into a hospital to help in the fight against the coronavirus.
All events of the auto show are canceled, including Motor Bella – scheduled for June 11-14, The Gallery on June 14, press preview days on June 15 and16, AutoMobili-D and the public show from Saturday, June 1-Saturday, June 26.
"The North American International Auto Show is officially canceled. TCF is working with FEMA to use the center to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak," 2020 NAIAS Chair Doug North told 7 Action News.
"We fully support NAIAS organizers in their postponement. The health and safety of our community and those working throughout the industry is our top priority. We look forward to seeing the show’s return in 2021," Ford said in a statement.
There are now 111 deaths and 4,650 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Michigan, state officials announced Saturday.
That's up from 92 deaths and 3,657 cases that were reported on Friday. Detroit has the largest number of positive cases in the state: 1,377.
This is the first year the auto show was scheduled to happen in June, after moving from January in 2019. There were plans to have major outdoor activities as part of the event, including an entire area along the Riverfront and at Hart Plaza.
This is the latest of major events postponed or canceled around the world, and in metro Detroit. Movement Festival, normally scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, was moved to September.
Other auto shows including those in New York, Geneva and Beijing were canceled or postponed.
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
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View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.
