The annual LA Auto Show is ground zero for advance viewing of new products and industry networking. Getty

The Los Angeles Auto Show is moving from its usual year-end timeslot in November to late May 2021.

Auto show organizers delayed the show six months over concerns with the Covid-19 pandemic. The LA Auto Show is held annually at the Los Angeles Convention Center and usually coincides with Thanksgiving.

Originally scheduled for November 20-29, 2020, the show will now be held on May 21-31, 2021, adjacent to the Memorial Day holiday, a big selling weekend for dealerships nationwide. Many new models are slated to hit dealer lots in the weeks and months preceding the show, and having them on display so soon after the show could be fortuitous for auto dealers that rely on the holiday weekend to drive sales.

EVs and Hybrids are a featured component of the Los Angeles Auto Show. Getty

Over the past several years, the LA Auto Show has evolved into a platform for automakers to unveil and display the newest electrified vehicles. The Porsche Taycan and Ford Mustang Mach-E crossover were both debuted at the 2019 show. The show also typically features several interactive exhibits that include test drives and outdoor activities. Show organizers have been careful to note that the 2021 event will strike a balance between experience and safety, and say that the well-being of attendees and the overall community are the top priority.

The decision to postpone the LA Auto Show is just the latest in a long line of canceled or postponed auto industry events. The Geneva Motor Show was the first to be canceled in February 2020 after the Swiss government banned any event with more than 1,000 attendees. The event itself is now struggling to reschedule after several automakers said they might not participate until 2022.

The New York International Auto Show, which typically showcases luxury vehicles, was postponed from its original April dates before ultimately being canceled with no date selected for the 2021 year. The Detroit Auto Show, usually held in January, might have not been axed had show organizers already decided to move it to June, to take advantage of better weather.

The Consumer Electronics Show, which is an industry-only event that also takes place in January in Las Vegas, was executed as scheduled. The 2021 show, however, has been canceled. The Chicago Auto Show, known for hosting the debut of new trucks and SUVs, took place in February. The show’s website has the 2021 dates listed as February 13-21, 2021.

It’s unclear what, if any, effect the circuit of auto shows that are postponing will have on plans to unveil new models. Many auto manufacturers have opted to hold virtual events in the wake of so many cancellations. Ford is a notable example, as the company announced its all-new Bronco SUV and F-150 pickup truck through a combination of live-streamed and pre-recorded online content.