How many of you remember a scooter flipping over on the day of launch because a presenter on the stage didn't remember it was turned on and twisted the throttle? Now we have news bigger than that. Imagine unveiling a new car at a motor show and it catches fire on a plinth. Unfortunately, the facts in the aforementioned story are based on real-life events. An electric concept car went up in flames during a motor show in China and videos of it ablaze have been doing the rounds on social media.
The incident happened at Guangzhou Auto Show when a concept from Chinese vehicle design and engineering company IAT caught fire.
According to Sino-Singapore Jingwei, IAT Automotive released a statement on WeChat saying during “construction” the “booth accidentally caught fire.” The company added the cause is currently unknown, but the fire was extinguished and no one was injured. IAT apologised to participants and other exhibitors, and said they’re “actively cooperating with the Guangzhou Auto Show Organizing Committee to investigate the cause of the accident.”
And so, with that statement, it isn't clear if it was the booth that caught fire or if the fire started in the car itself. IAT was quick to act at damage control and the display area was swiftly repaired with no sign such an incident taking place the day before.
Details are limited, but the Internet is full of images and video of the incident which took place at the IAT display and destroyed a futuristic hatchback-like concept. Investigations are on but the focus will perhaps be on the car, unless the construction workers were using open fire.