Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari
Ferrari, Rolls-Royce and Land Rover pass on 2009 Detroit Auto Show
by John Neff on Nov 13th 2008 at 4:30PM 
The global economic downturn is affecting other things than the availability of credit, the unemployment rate and the fate of the world's largest automaker. We had already heard that Suzuki was planning on skipping this year's 2009 Detroit Auto Show in January (Porsche passed on the 2008 show), but the small Japanese brand has now been joined by a few heavyweights that compete at the very high end of the automotive spectrum. It turns out that Ferrari, Rolls-Royce and Land Rover are all three not attending this year's Detroit show, presumably because they don't have anything exciting to announce and the money could be better spent elsewhere.
What's surprising about this trio of top shelf brands missing out on Detroit is that we always thought luxury goods were least vulnerable to a crappy economy. Sure the middle class and poor get poorer, but the super wealthy usually have a few million stuffed under their mattresses to see them through. Thus, if not less expensive Land Rovers, at least Ferraris and Rollers would still be bought in decent numbers. Apparently that's not the case, as even the most expensive of autos are seeing sales slow and if they don't have a new production vehicle or concept car to show, then a trip to Detroit is the vacation nobody wants to take.
[Source: LA Times, Photo by STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
TigerMil 4:34PM (11/13/2008)
NAIAS is cancelled due to economy and lack of interest.
See y'all in Paris.
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zamafir 4:48PM (11/13/2008)
LA's still going fine. Automakers are just spending money where the money's at (at least those still going to North American shows).
TJ 5:15PM (11/13/2008)
LA is not going fine. Chrysler is all but out, as is GM (no major pressers for either). the others are either not coming, or have nothing new to reveal.
This is shaping up to be one of the weakest shows in recent memory.
zamafir 5:29PM (11/13/2008)
"Others"?
Actually, you may want to read a press release or two, with the exception of GM and their death knell status it would appear every other major automaker is going to be there, is going to be having World and North American debuts, or will bring concepts for the ride. Yup, it does appear that everyone's focusing their show dollars and concepts and debuts (especially North American) where the majority of car buying occurs. LA looks fine, Chrysler will be there, with concepts and cars and GM will be there only having cancelled press releases.
Who are the "others" you speak of? Suzuki? Yeah.. with every major car maker debuting and providing concepts, Suzuki is a huge blow to LA.
World Debuts at LA:
Ford Fusion/Fusion Hybrid
Ford Mustang (you may have heard of it)
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid concept
Infiniti G37 Convertible
Kia Borrego FCEV concept
Lexus RX 350
Lexus RX 450h Hybrid
Lincoln MKZ
Mazda 3
Mercury Milan/Milan Hybrid
MINI E
Nissan 370 Z
Nissan Cube
Porsche Boxster
Porsche Cayman
Toyota CNG Camry Hybrid concept
Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI
North American Debuts:
Aston Martin DBS automatic
Audi A6
Audi Q5 TDI
BMW 7 Series
Ferrari California
Honda Insight concept
Kia Soul
Lexus IS Convertible
Lotus Evora
Mercedes-Benz Fascination concept
Saab 9-X Air Bio- Hybrid Convertible concept
Spyker Aileron concept
Cocnepts:
BMW 7 Series ActiveHybrid
BMW X6 Active/Hybrid
Chrysler Town & Country EV
Dodge EV
Dodge ZEO
Honda CR-Z Hybrid
Honda Insight
Hyundai HED-5
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Jeep Renegade
Jeep Wrangler EV
Kia Borrego FCEV
Mercedes-Benz Fascination
Saab 9-X Air Bio- Hybrid Convertible
Spyker Aileron
Toyota CNG Camry Hybrid
Amien 4:35PM (11/13/2008)
Rather unfortunate, but interest in the american market dwindling was inevitable, for a number of obvious reasons. Here's hoping stuff improves quickly...
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P Zero 4:39PM (11/13/2008)
Once Lambo and Bentley pull out I won't even bother going.
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rsfourever 5:33PM (11/13/2008)
it's all about lambo and bentley baby! and bugatti...
MajorGeek 5:34PM (11/21/2008)
As long as the booth babes don't pull out.
Torrent 4:40PM (11/13/2008)
Next post: "All Automakers ditching the Auto Show, Scion left on it's own"
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JZeke 4:41PM (11/13/2008)
Times have changed considerably since I went to the '04 NAIAS for press days.
Why have Rolls and Ferrari in a city where few can afford them? If you hadn't noticed, the latest Ferrari (the California) is debuting in far more relevant Los Angeles, where locals who can actually afford the car are very likely to show up. Even more important the cognoscenti are much more wired these days, and don't need to make it to Detroit to be kept aware of the latest products.
Besides, the weather in Detroit sucks this time of year. If I was from Italy or even England I'd much rather spend company dollars to get to LA.
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P.V. 7:14PM (11/13/2008)
Agreed.
Frankly, I'm not sure what else Ferrari, RR, or Land Rover would introduce there (other than outlandish one-off concepts).
Eddie 4:43PM (11/13/2008)
Not to sound like a jerk, but I can't imagine that Rolls and Ferrari make a significant number of sales in Michigan. They're better off focusing on Chicago, LA, and NYC.
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happy_penguin 5:26PM (11/13/2008)
It isn't necessarily just about Michigan. NAIS serves a major chunk of the midwest.
Eddie 5:48PM (11/13/2008)
I think Chicago is the better midwest show. After all, it is much larger and has more exhibits.
the vegas style guy 4:52PM (11/13/2008)
if you were an exec from any of these companies would you really want to spend any time in a craphole like Detroit? Especially after you have partied like a rock star in L.A.?
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happy_penguin 5:27PM (11/13/2008)
There's a lot more to Detroit than just the slums of the city itself.
Stan Man 4:55PM (11/13/2008)
Oakland county Michigan …. Just a stones throw north of Detroit is in the top ten per capita in the country. One of the top selling Ferrari dealers in the country is located in West Bloomfield. Just so you know. I do agree the Detroit show should be moved to a Spring or Summer time period.
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Quantum Physics 5:05PM (11/13/2008)
Well Actually Oakland County, which is located just North of Detroit, is one of the weathiest counties in the U.S. I see quite a few top end automobiles there.
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Jo 5:24PM (11/13/2008)
There have been WAY too many shows, concepts, news events, etc. for years. Really, do we need a bunch of useless concept/dream cars right now?
No.
No, we do not.
Car shows exist so the local dealers can move metal. If people don't go to shows to buy new cars anymore (they don't), then the shows will die.
Life goes on.
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happy_penguin 5:30PM (11/13/2008)
Yes, we do need dreams and concepts. To deny that is truly the death of us all. So much of what is going on right now has to do with nothing more than consumer confidence. It's psychological. People need inspiration to start spending again.