The IAA Commercial Vehicles, the world‘s leading show for transport, logistics and mobility, has been cancelled for 2020 due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Originally set to take place in Hannover from 24 to 30 September, the show will next take place in September 2022 (even-numbered years are dedicated to commercial vehicles, while odd-numbered years are for passenger cars).

“As a global meeting place for experts and decision-makers from the entire transport and logistics sector, its strength is its international range of both exhibitors and visitors. Direct personal contacts are at the heart of the show,” the show‘s organiser, VDA, has said in a statement.

“The health risks of the Covid-19 pandemic and the measures taken to contain it have fundamentally changed the backdrop for the IAA Commercial Vehicles. The Covid-19 pandemic has indeed shown the general public very clearly just how essential commercial vehicles are for maintaining public food supplies, but it is having an unprecedented impact on business in the sector and also the IAA.

“Many countries have travel restrictions that will remain in force for several months to come. Large events have been prohibited over the coming months in nearly all European countries. Given the situation with the corona pandemic, face-to-face meetings can no longer be held at a trade fair and particularly at the IAA.”

The VDA has said cancelling the show was a difficult decision to make. “In view of the overall situation in Europe and around the world, we do not see any possibility of holding the IAA this year in its familiar form as a platform for exhibitors and visitors.”

The VDA has already informed the many exhibitors who had registered for the IAA 2020 of the decision, along with all the service providers, Deutsche Messe AG, and all political and business partners.

Exhibitors and service providers have been informed of the cancellation at this early stage in order to minimise further economic consequences.