We’re experiencing an ever-changing set of worldwide circumstances, unfortunately, the vast majority of these revolve around the Coronavirus, but don’t worry, we will finish on better news!
The Geneva motor show 2020 – cancelled
This was the first large-scale business-related show to become a victim of Coronavirus. Switzerland’s government decreed that events that attract over a thousand people are to be cancelled, and the Geneva motor show generally attracts upwards of 600,000 worldwide visitors.
A few things to think about here. The Geneva show is one of the most important in the industry. But motor shows are struggling to be viable, with manufactures pulling out and the ticket buying public preferring social media or even more interactive events, such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Geneva 2020 was due to play host to some critical launches this year. With manufacturers forced to launch so many cars remotely, will they suddenly decide that this is a better way of doing it, and abandon motor shows altogether? Only time will tell, but the Coronavirus might have helped speed that decision along.
Flybe – in administration
As a prolific aviation funder, EFT Finance is very disappointed to hear the news that Flybe has finally ceased to trade. The airline has also blamed the influence of Coronavirus hampering ticket sales. It should be noted that the firm were given a well-publicised and controversial injection of funds in January due to financial stress. Commentators suggests they were always sliding into administration, but would they have survived? We very much hoped they would, but who knows. But as a weakened company that depends on consumer appetite for travel, the current worldwide health problems are certainly not what they needed.
The consequences are not just to the very unfortunate Flybe staff, but also the supply chain that supported the company, too. Flybe also flew many routes that were not covered by other airlines, greatly assisting with linking areas of the country up. Many business users depended on the Flybe for their work and with almost zero notice, their ability to travel has stopped.
Environmental changes
With flight numbers reducing everywhere, notwithstanding Flybe, and rumours of people staying in, will there be a short-term environmental analysis, and will it show any improvement in air quality from a reduction in the use of fuel? We wrote about the potential for electric aircraft in a previous article. Any practical and current examples might help with the development of electric craft moving forward.
And the better news – recent car launches that should have been at Geneva.
We’ll continue the environmental trend. BMW debuted their fully electric saloon concept. Known as the Concept i4, it is purported to be 85% of the how the production version will look. In a direct blow to Tesla, the Concept i4 produces 530bhp (the same as BMW’s current non-motorsport V8) and will sprint to sixty in circa 4 seconds. The claimed range is 373 miles on the current WLTP cycle – progress indeed and the first mainstream manufacturer to strike at Tesla within their own market place.
Porsche also showed its new 911 Turbo S. Nothing particularly innovative in relation to the tried and tested engineering linage of a 911 Turbo, but the new 911 Turbo is always big news. The 992 iteration produces 641 bhp from a 3.8 litre flat six engine (not the new 4 litre block, interestingly), and runs up to 205mph, after hitting 120mph in 8.9 and 62mph in 2.7 seconds. Or in other words, blindingly quick.
Other notable virtual launches included the McLaren 765 LT – yet another mid-engined hardcore road and track car (also with a 2.7 second sprint to sixty, but rear wheel drive only), and the recently unveiled Ferrari Roma received its first public (but now virtual) debut.
And finally – two British cars that would have hit the news big time in Geneva. The Bentley Bacalar. Just 12 will be made, 1.5 million a pop, coachwork by Mulliner (a relationship that exists with Bentley through the sands of time) and no roof. Make your own minds up…
The second was the Aston Martin Speedster. Again, no roof but absolutely beautiful to these eyes and with the impending Bond film (wait for it…) a great time to launch such a car. A cynical observer would say that Aston Martin has seen Ferrari’s success with their extraordinary coach-built Monza, and to less extent, the new McLaren Elva and, copied the concept. I think it makes great business sense and limited to just 88 units, starting at £765,000. Will 88 people buy them? I think they will. And this brings me to my last point…
After lots of bad press, Aston Martin must have been looking forward to enjoying a barrage of positivity with the Speedster reveal at Geneva in March, and the new James Bond film, No Time to Die, where Aston Martins feature heavily, premiering worldwide in April. Then Geneva cancels, not more than a week before it is about to start. And hot off the press, the Bond premier has also been postponed until November, again, just a couple of weeks before the premier and associated media storm was about to start. Coronavirus strikes again.
Author: Neville Contractor
neville@eftfinance.co.uk | Mobile: 07720 441738