Tokyo Show Could Be No Show; Big Three Bow Out
By Michelle Krebs January 16, 2009
The Japan Automobile Manufacturers' Association reportedly plans to meet later this month
about whether or not to hold the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. A decision likely will be announced shortly thereafter.
An official of the organization was quoted as saying the show, held every other year, may be canceled due to the global economic crisis.
The Tokyo show has struggled in recent years to maintain its status as an international show because of Japan's largely closed market. Automakers have opted instead to shift their auto show dollars to China.
Not surprisingly, ailing Detroit automakers already have decided to withdraw from the Tokyo auto show. They have been scaling back their presence at the show since they and other non-Japanese automakers sell few vehicles in Japan.
The Big Three, like some other global automakers, have been shifting their auto show dollars to China, where automakers have experienced huge growth in sales and the market holds far more promise for future growth than does the stagnant Japanese market.
China alternates its annual show between Beijing and Shanghai. This year's show will be in April in Shanghai.
Media speculation is that if one of Japan's Big Three -- Toyota, Honda or Nissan -- withdraws from the Tokyo show, it surely will be canceled. Nissan has withdrawn from some U.S. shows, including Detroit and Chicago. Nissan officials said during the recent Detroit auto show press days that they are closely scrutinizing where they will participate in auto shows and at what level.
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Why don't you check your facts before writing about Nissan and the Chicago Auto Show. Nissan did not "withdraw" from the Chicago Auto Show. In fact, both Nissan and Infiniti have Nissan Motor Corp displays in the 2009 show. And they occupy the same square footage as they did in 2008.
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