Toyota delays unveiling of small crossover for Europe

Toyota Europe will delay the unveiling of a small crossover for Europe by “weeks or months” after the cancellation of the Geneva auto show because of the coronavirus.

Toyota was due to unveil the car at the Geneva show, but in contrast to other automakers such as BMW, Volkswagen and Daimler, the Japanese automaker decided not to stage a digital reveal this week, a source close to the company said.

The reveal will happen “in the coming weeks or months," the source added.

The Geneva show organizers canceled the event last Friday after the Swiss government banned gatherings of 1,000 or more people in a bid to halt the spread of the coronavirus. Automakers were forced at very short notice to make alternative arrangements for revealing their cars, with many choosing livestreams on Tuesday this week.

Toyota had already reduced its Geneva activities after moving its traditional media briefing event involving senior executives from the eve of the show to January.