The fast spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Korea and other countries outside China over the last weekend has spilled over to the motor scene, spoiling international motor show agenda and debuts of new cars.

The upcoming Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) last weekend said it is closely monitoring the impact of the new coronavirus epidemic raging in China on exhibitors, visitors, partners and employees.

GIMS, one of the world’s top three motor shows, has not cancelled the show, but car manufacturers feel a growing sense of fear that they might lose more chances to promote new cars as Auto China 2020, originally scheduled for April 21-30 in Beijing, is being indefinitely postponed due to the virus outbreak.

The Beijing auto show, the industry`s biggest global event of the year, has been regarded as important to automakers that are trying to reverse a sales slowdown in China, the world’s largest car market.

Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group has been working to unveil its new i20 and i30 models and fourth-generation Sonata and premier its sporty and sensuous "Prophecy" EV concept at Geneva Motor Show.

By Park Yoon-gu and Minu Kim

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