The recent outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused major complications for a number of industries, and the car world certainly has not been immune, what with the recent cancelation of the 2020 Geneva Motor Show. Some manufacturers have also experienced a sales decline in China, where the virus outbreak is most prominent. Now, the virus has claimed another victim: the 2020 New York International Auto Show.

While NYIAS 2020 was previously expected to be held in April as originally scheduled, the show's organizers have now postponed it until late summer. Press days will be held on the 26 and 27 of August, and the event will be open to the broader public from August 28 to September 6.

"We are taking this extraordinary step to help protect our attendees, exhibitors and all participants from the coronavirus," said Mark Schienberg, president of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, the organization that owns and operates the New York International Auto Show.

"For 120 years, 'the show must go on' has been heavily embedded in our DNA, and while the decision to move the show dates didn't come easy, our top priority remains with the health and well-being of all those involved in this historic event," Schienberg added. We have already been in communication with many of our exhibitors and partners and are confident that the new dates for the 2020 Show will make for another successful event."

This is a major blow to the city of New York, which generates an estimated $330 million or more in economic benefit from hosting the show. The rescheduling could also mean the postponement of many new vehicle reveals, including the Ford Bronco and Ford Bronco Sport, both of which were recently leaked ahead of their NY debuts.

The cancellation of the Geneva Motor Show prompted many manufacturers to debut vehicles intended for the show online or through small, private events. But unlike Geneva, NYIAS hasn't been completely canceled, so it will be interesting to see if manufacturers hold off, or follow the trend set by Geneva and host online debuts. NYIAS organizers will provide more details in the coming weeks.