Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Trends, Marketing/Advertising, Suzuki
Suzuki bows out of 2009 Detroit Auto Show
by Frank Filipponio on Jun 26th 2008 at 1:33PM 
Porsche and Suzuki rarely come up in the same breath, but here is something they both share: neither will be in Cobo Hall when the Detroit Auto Show opens in January. Joining the Stuttgart sportscar/SUV/SUS maker in skipping the show, Suzuki has said that they are pulling out for a slightly different reason. Whereas Porsche had said that Detroit wasn't a very important market for them, Suzuki is saying they didn't like the space they were offered. Here, Suzuki is hitting closer to what many people feel is the real problem with Cobo, there just isn't enough room. It's a fine hall with a storied past, and as a journalist it's nice to be able to get to any press conference within a minute from the media center, but it's not very big compared to the other halls around the world. With a name like "2009 North American International Auto Show" it needs more square-footage. It's still the most important auto show in the country, if not the world, and maybe losing Suzuki and Porsche don't hurt it too much, but this move by Suzuki could be marking a trend that can only be stopped with a major expansion. Back in January, we mentioned that a plan is being formulated to expand Cobo Hall, but the project is still in the financing stage as far as we know. Hopefully something can be done before long to save this great show's reputation.
[Source: Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
John Johnson 1:42PM (6/26/2008)
Aww man, you mean I won't get to see Suzuki's latest offerings? Well then, I won't be going this year!
In similar news, Al Gore has just announced that he will not attempt to run for the Democratic nomination for President.
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Randy 3:39PM (6/26/2008)
Suzuki makes cars?
;)
vince 5:09PM (6/26/2008)
Great Job KWAYME D U M B A S S!!
anti-believer 1:44PM (6/26/2008)
How can it be the most important car show if it doesn't give adequate space for vendors to operate?
Detriot is not a hub for big consumers. We're not in the 70's or 80's anymore.
Times have changed.
In Southern California there are 4 auto shows in a year... San Diego, Anahiem, Inland Empire and Los Angeles. Michigan is just not that appealing.
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The Other Bob 2:07PM (6/26/2008)
"Michigan is just not that appealing."
Have you been to Michigan? I would live anywhere in Michigan over your list of cities.
http://michigan.org/
Rick 2:19PM (6/26/2008)
Enjoy your arctic experience.
icu812ru469 2:29PM (6/26/2008)
The OtherBob obviously like cold winter weather and high crime... keep driving that truck Bob...
SoCalObserver 2:47PM (6/26/2008)
I live in Southern California, and I'd argue that Anaheim and (especially) the Inland Empire aren't very appealing, either. The OC and IE auto shows are kind of a joke. The LA show is by far the biggest and best. San Diego's a pretty cool show, too, only because they have a great convention center right on the bay with ample restaurants and bars in walking distance to hit up after the show. Or before. Or during. :-)
The Other Bob 3:27PM (6/26/2008)
"The OtherBob obviously like cold winter weather and high crime... keep driving that truck Bob..."
Actually its sunny and about 85 here today and I do drive a truck, although its a small, 2wd version and the crime in my area is nil.
That One Person 4:07PM (6/26/2008)
COBO should have been expanded years ago.
But with their current mayor stealing money left and right and so on, it may be a while before it happens. But Detroit hasn't really had a lot of chances to do the project.
But trust me, there has been a HUGE outcry by the Big 3, local dealerships, other manufacturers and the such.
Oh and ICU...Downtown Detroit isn't all that bad. I frequent the area on a regular basis and not once have I been shot at, stabbed, run over, held up, etc. You may get the occasional homeless person asking for money but thats it. The week the auto show is held on is probably the best time to go down there. People are everywhere and the police do routine patrols.
ckm 1:47PM (6/26/2008)
It's not even close to being no.2 most important. Frankfurt and Geneva are FAR more important.
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Pacman 2:07PM (6/26/2008)
By what criteria are you making that claim? Is it just your opinion or can you back it with more than conjecture. The reason some consider the North American Auto Show is the most important is simple - 1. Noth America is the biggest car market (China and India are comming along and will change that but they dont buy the full range, just cheap cars in volume), 2. The Press in North America is the biggest and most encompasing. Basically - you make it here, you make it anywhere, kinda thing. The European and Asian shows are also very important and it is dificult to place order on the three.
sk 2:38PM (6/26/2008)
@pacman,
You obviously haven't been to Frankfurt or Geneva's car shows. You can see many more manufacturers than in Detroit. Geneva is probably the most important car show, because Switzerland has no major domestic car company, therefore avoiding that influence when buying cars.
Pacman 3:07PM (6/26/2008)
SK - Detroit is not the best place for the show - granted. Probably should go to FLorida or Cali.
The fact that Swiss do not make cars has nothing to do with anything. The important autoshow's are a showcase for the media. Having the public there is a secondary.
Frankfurt has more brands than the NA show b/c many brands (Fiat/Seat/Renault etc) are not sold in N.A. Volume does not make the show more inportant.
Consumer market and Media are what make the show important. There is no bigger media market than NA. Also NA is one of the biggest consumer markets.
Frankfurt, Tokyo, Detroit, London - Are all important and each has new models revealed. I dont think any are ALWAYS the most important. Like I said before, I dont think you can (or need) to rank them. Really importance is only determined after the shows are over and you can look back and see which had the biggest impact on the market. It varies.
Pacman 3:11PM (6/26/2008)
....also Frankfurt does not even have consumer products every year. Every other year the show is all commercial products alternating the consumer products with Paris.
ckm 11:18PM (6/26/2008)
Fact 1: The EU + Russia is a larger market for cars than the US and it's growing much faster (over 20 million in 2007 with a 36% growth in Russia alone in 2007).
Fact 2: Geneva is THE global auto show. That's where every manufacturer must be, unlike Detroit, which manufacturers can easily avoid.
Basically, the US is a mature market. The opportunity for new customers is very small compared to any of the BRIC countries (that's Brazil, Russia, India and China).
The largest auto shows in Europe are Geneva and Frankfurt and either one of those is easily double the size of Detroit and both are vastly more important to automakers.
And, as others said, regional auto shows like LA are taking on a greater importance, with some new models even being introduced at them.
Craig 1:50PM (6/26/2008)
The more smaller car companies that pull out, the more room it leaves for the bigger car companies.
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B 1:52PM (6/26/2008)
Well, hot off the question regarding a Cobo expansion:
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080626/METRO/806260455
I wonder how many of Kwame's friends will get contracts for construction? He has probably already sent text messages notifying them of the deal :)
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Eddie 2:02PM (6/26/2008)
First Porsche, now Suzuki. Detroit Auto Show is held in a dying city, no wonder why compaines are electing to not appear at that show. They can focus more on NY, LA, Chicago.
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Guenther 2:02PM (6/26/2008)
Cobo would be plenty big if they utilized the lower level properly. Move the DUB booth into the arena and there'll be plenty of space.
As for an expansion, I don't know which direction they could go.
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