It's been more than 2 months already?! Who would have thought that it would go like this, when the first measures were implemented back in mid March..?! Well.. WHO is actually the one thinking about all these measures :p but to be fair, this pandemic situation is happening all over the world and has (understandably) resulted in the cancellation of essentially all major motorsports and car-related gatherings so far. Which for me translates to: no access to car shows and events ALL over the world (#sadness). The cancellations of the historic International Motor Show of Geneva (GIMS 2020) followed by the Amsterdam Motor Show
A worker strips down the banners advertising the Geneva Auto Show on February 28, 2020, after the event was canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak | Robert Hradil/Getty Images
made it pretty obvious that public safety is the number one priority at the moment, and we are all in this together. This year is about the Coronavirus epidemic, (,,,) as events are cancelled or postponed one after another. Some unveilings and new car model announcements were presented through live streaming, and pretty much that's how the experience was. Soo.. from my egocentric perspective and since the general public cannot access or participate in such events, I m not missing out on anything right?!..Right?! WRONG!!
We are ALL missing out on car events, exhibitions, new model releases and most importantly, racing. And I will explain why I still feel this 'fear of missing out' (#fomo) right away!:
Let's start by realising that unveiling new models, holding events to promote the latest technologies, advancements, gadgets, tools and improvements in the automotive industry, is more thanjust having a fiesta and a get- together! It is a mere expression of the epitome of technology, mechanics and engineering.
These events, new models and races, are the results of hard work, non-stop testing, and evolution, and they represent the biggest breakthroughs we have collectively made, on each individual sector represented through a complete, new model or prototype.
Think about it this way: it's been only 120 years since we started placing engines in cars. Only 120 years since we commenced producing automobiles with petrol/gasoline-powered internal combustion engines!! And all that thanks to Karl Benz who built his first automobile in 1885 in Mannheim, Germany. Since then, we have experienced one breakthrough after the other. Literally. The pace of technological advancement in the automotive industry, is insane - to say the least! During what is a bit more than a century, we managed to move on from muddy carriages that were being dragged by horses ( #retro ) , to conceptualise, construct and refine the internal combustion engine and gradually we moved to hybrid technologies and electric vehicles! Wow. In just 120 years. Simply, WOW.
So, after clearing the air I believe you get me when I say 'we're missing out'!
Because I'm not referring to the actual participation, action and results of those events, shows and/or races. What I mean is that collectively, we are 'missing' out on progress. Missing out on testing new technologies - taking action and making measurable steps towards their improvement. Missing out on more opportunities to stretch the limits of the engines and the different performance parts. Lagging behind on optimising fuel efficiency, and so on.
We re missing out on advancing!! The more we stay in this standstill, the pace of advancement drops.
This delay is another side effect of this pandemic. We have switched our focus, and concentrated our capital and efforts (and very righteously so) to support the healthcare sector. At the time being I hope we move out of this situation as safely and quickly as possible.
In the meantime, It is the optimal moment to notice the environmental benefits that occurred from this standstill and lockdown. I'm sure within the next months we'll have access to very interesting facts and data regarding the atmospheric pollution levels, emissions, and fuel consumption. I hope this will accelerate our transition to more sustainable energy sources, and hopefully, phase out from fossil fuels completely.
In this case, we shouldn't be hoping to 'go back to normal'. Not at all. As a matter of fact we should strive for the exact opposite: To completely transform the automotive industry and pave a sustainable evolutionary path that will have (close to) zero environmental impacts without compromising what we love best: speed, performance, safety. This can be done. The sector will benefit immensely by opening up its doors to more ideas, onboarding more women, and adapting different ways of thinking. Keep in mind that at this year's summit in Geneva, the Brussels-based European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) was planning to link up executives for a wide-ranging board meeting that would include, getting an industry line on EU proposals to review vehicle CO2 emission reductions.
The old was good but the new can be so, so much better. We have the tech, and we have the science. We need to diffuse the EV technologies sector wide, and seriously start making progress regarding gender diversity.
My dream is that all brands will onboard more women (of all specialisations) on their operations and begin producing electric vehicles under all brand names, while keep pushing and challenging each other with technological advancements. Share patents and know-how for the sake of sustainable progress - looking at you Tesla *wink wink*! Which reminds me of BMW, VW, Porsche, Jaguar, which are on the right path but hey, they can definitely step it up!! After all the theory of evolution says: 'the better one adjusts to their environment, the more their ability to survive and compete increases'. Sooo.. in other words, it's 'keep up or be left behind!' Let's go full electric!
I can't wait to see what the post Covid-19 era will bring to the industry and the whole automotive sector. What's your opinion on this?! Let's see which companies and/or brands will be the leaders of the new game! As consumers, we should push for new, higher and sustainable standards to be implemented sector wide, and accept nothing less than almost zero environmental impacts. We have the tech. Let's use it!
As a final note, I m curious to see what is your opinion regarding electric models? Have you already made the switch or perhaps planning to? Or is it a big NO from your side as a driver and consumer? Share your thoughts on the issue!
P.S.: I just realised I forgot to answer my own question?! Ok then.. this goes for those still wandering 'What cars do during Covid-19' - well.. they wait!
They wait to embody our latest accomplishments..!
Thank you, we ll catch up soon!
Evi K.
You can click here and here to see the highlights from the 2020 International Brussels Motor Show, and here for the 2019 International Amsterdam Motor Show .
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