Whereas the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has triggered issues worldwide, organizers of the primary two Canadian auto reveals on the 2022 calendar are transferring ahead within the hope their occasions received’t be impacted.

The variant is taken into account to be probably the most contagious mutation, thus far, of COVID-19. And scientists are nonetheless working exams to see how effectively — if in any respect — the variant can evade vaccine safety.

The CIAS, which is Canada’s largest shopper present, runs from Feb. 18-27, whereas the Montreal present is slated from Jan. 21-30.

“Clearly like each occasion we’re maintaining a tally of the complete state of affairs, however proper now with the entire precautions we’re taking with masking and vaccine passports being required we don’t see a difficulty at this time limit,” mentioned Jason Campbell, CIAS basic supervisor. “All of us hope every part stays as it’s as a result of individuals are coming again to occasions like hockey video games, and we expect there can be a lot of individuals that may wish to come again to the AutoShow.”

Luis Pereira, govt director of the Montreal present, mentioned related protocols are in place for his occasion.

“We’re not fearful about that proper now,” he mentioned.

Pereira mentioned he expects to finalize commitments from electrical automobile automakers both on the finish of the week or the beginning of subsequent week. He wouldn’t reveal the names of the producers, nor for that matter would Campbell.

Three EV producers – Imperium, Electra Meccanica and VinFast – had shows on the latest L.A. Auto Present.

Each Pereira and Campbell mentioned they count on the producers which have advised them they might be at their reveals will come.

“Any authorized doc from producers takes a lot longer this 12 months than ever [because of COVID],” Campbell mentioned. “We’ve seen flooring plan designs and requests for amendments coming again so there’s no concern they’re not dedicated to coming.”

Campbell mentioned the CIAS will make an announcement about the primary producers returning and ticket gross sales earlier than Christmas. He mentioned the EV producers won’t be introduced till a while in late January.

“The common ones which can be coming in are companions that we’ve had for years and base our flooring plans round,” he mentioned. “They are going to have far more vital shows. It actually types the premise of what the ground plan seems to be like.” The smaller manufacturers will be capable of discover a house within the remaining area, mentioned Campbell, including that their reveals characterize “added worth for the customers.”

“All of us need them to be there, however the core of the present must be the companions which have pushed the present ahead for 47 years and can proceed to take action for the approaching years forward.”