Auto show set to ban models

01.10.2015

Visitors to Auto China 2015 hoping to feast their eyes on an attractive model or two might be disappointed when they realize the only ones on show are of the vehicular variety.

According to an industry executive, the Automotive Committee of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, which organizes the annual car show, has issued a total ban on the use of good-looking hosts and hostesses at this year’s event.

“My colleague has been notified by the auto show organizer that the use of (human) models will not be allowed,” Victor Yang, public relations director at Geely Auto, wrote on Sina Weibo yesterday.

When asked for a response to Yang’s claim, the organizer said it is still soliciting opinion on the issue but has not ruled out the possibility of such a ban.

The committee last year outlawed “scantily clad” models and loud music, saying it wanted to ensure that the stars of the show — which is held on alternate years in Beijing and Shanghai — were the cars and not the hostesses.

Last year’s event in the capital attracted more than 100,000 people a day.

Though there were no major public safety incidents, carmaker Hyundai was forced to cancel a personal appearance by a Korean pop star due to fears it might spark a frenzy.

This year, the event will be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai from April 22 to 29.