The 2022 Montreal International Auto Show (MIAS)—the largest auto show in Quebec—was cancelled. The event was scheduled to take place from January 21-30, 2022 at the Montreal Convention Centre (Palais des congrès de Montréal), but was cancelled due to the increasing spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
As we were going to press, the Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS) issued a news release also cancelling their 2022 event.
In a December 16 news release, the MIAS announced the cancellation and indicated the decision follows an analysis made on the recent effects regarding the rise of the Omicron variant, along with the uncertainties regarding the sanitary measures around the organization of indoor events for the next few weeks.
This is the second consecutive year the event was cancelled due to the pandemic, which annually kicks off the Canadian auto show calendar. It is the second biggest one in Canada; the Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS) follows the MIAS a month later in Toronto, Ont. and is the biggest one.
“We were so close, we saw the light at the end of the tunnel, but COVID is hitting us again,” said MIAS Executive Director Luis Pereira in an interview with Canadian auto dealer. “Everybody is disappointed here.”
He said the decision to cancel the show had been discussed for weeks. According to the organization’s website, the event was founded in 1914 by the Montreal Automobile Dealers Association.
“With the increasing cases getting out of proportion here in Quebec, we really sat down and said, ‘this is not looking good.’ They are announcing the apocalypse in January with varying cases after the holidays,” said Pereira.
“We had our best intention to put on the show. We were so close, less than a month away, but we had a corporate responsibility,” he adds. “We had to really look at this and say it would be completely irresponsible to put on the show at this point, not knowing what the outcome will be in the next couple of weeks. It just made no sense, and I think the best decision was to cancel the show at this time.”
Pereira said he started relaying the cancellation update the evening of December 15 to the OEMs that committed to the show. The MIAS lost almost 10 automakers that had already bowed out for various reasons, but he said those that committed to participating were keen.
“They completely understand it was the best thing that could be done at this moment,” said Pereira, adding that he received commitments from electric vehicle manufacturers Imperium Motor Company and VinFast to be part of the show for the first time.
“The Montreal show was the first, I think, of all the Canadian shows going back to 2005 that had a zone dedicated to EVs,” said Pereira. “It was a theme to our show, which was gaining in popularity over the last two or three years, and with the inclusion of VinFast and Imperium into our show, it shows how important the Quebec market is for the electric mobility industry.”
He said they were disappointed, as they were also looking forward to having VinFast and Imperium making their Canadian debut. He firmly believes the MIAS is relevant in the landscape of the automotive industry, and the event industry in Quebec.
In the Greater Montreal area, Pereira said more than 13,000 people work directly in the automotive field. And with the energy transition and the changes towards electric powered mobility, the event would have offered “a unique showcase and allowed visitors to compare options and have their questions answered.”
“Thousands of people from the automotive industry flock to the city and into the Montreal hotels and downtown restaurants, not to mention the thousands of visitors,” said Pereira.
Hyundai Canada President Don Romano said the MIAS is a key event for the OEM because of its commitment to EVs.
“Montreal is important because of electrification. That’s the biggest EV market in Canada,” he said. “We’re introducing the IONIQ 5 right now. So for us the timing for Montreal was perfect to get exposure for it. Unfortunately we aren’t able to do that. Fortunately, we just did a press event in San Diego with quite a few (journalists) from Montreal.”
“As a company we’re trying to take the lead on electrification and promote electric vehicles, and auto shows are just fantastic for that because a lot of people don’t understand electric vehicles,” said Romano. “They are not comfortable yet, and auto shows are a place to get comfortable.
As for the fundraising activities planned for the Charity Preview Evening of the show, which are meant to support six hospital foundations, MIAS Executive Vice-President Denis Dessureault said they will be maintained and that details will be communicated in the coming weeks. The six foundations normally benefit from the funds raised during the evening event that launches the MIAS activities.
The CIAS also cancelled its event for 2022. Canadian auto dealer will have more later today on this breaking story. Visit our website for more updates.
