Local Detroit-area Nissan and Infiniti dealers to invade NAIAS
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Nov 29th 2008 at 4:11PM 
The show must go on! In this case, we're talking about what's arguably the most important auto show in America: Detroit. It'll be a cold day in
Like the recently announced display for the Chicago Auto Show, the Detroit showing is not officially sanctioned by the mothership and it won't be staffed by professionals. At least fans of the marque will get the chance to see Nissan's latest products, sort of. Unfortunately, some of Nissan's biggest attractions won't be there, including the new Cube and the new-for-'09 370Z. Seriously Ghosn, can't you just throw these poor guys a bone by at least shipping out a single, solitary new Z?
[Source: Detroit Free Press]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sid 4:38PM (11/29/2008)
It's really poor conduct. Yes we ALL get the economic reasons why Detroit doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things to these specific automakers but they can atleast have a small stand with just the latest hardware. Detroit is still motor city.
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R-Yo 5:32PM (11/29/2008)
It's called not wasting money. If you were short on cash and had a lemonade stand that costed you 10$ to put up, knowing that very well, you won't get more then a couple of kids compared to the many that used to, would you still put it up?
This is called business, there is no reason to put a little stand just so people can look at it. I was really looking forward to the Detroit Auto Show because, Nissan is my favourite automaker, and I wanted to see the new Z, but why throw money out the window. Detroit maybe the Motor City of America, but it definetly isn't of the world.
happy_penguin 5:55PM (11/29/2008)
"costed"?
Sid 11:38PM (11/29/2008)
R-Yo - We get it. Anyone over 12yrs of age and figure out what their *reason* for it may be. But I call B.S on it. Everyone else is still there. So Porsche doesn't show there...fine. Not that many people buying rear-engine sports cars in snow-storms anyway.
But do they want us to believe there is no market for Sentras and Altimas in Michigan and some of the nearby states? Gimme a break. We get it...the GT-R is GREEEAT. But Nissan is still a volume seller and the Detroit Auto Show is still one of the pemier auto-shows on the planet. If they pull any of that crap with the Toronto Auto Show I won't buy any of their cars. Because I would feel that they don't want my business so I won't give them any. Plus...Mazda is makin' some real nice cars lately.......
Judy Zik 12:05AM (11/30/2008)
I'm afraid my B.S. meter is off the charts too. Considering what one ad on TV costs. The cost of shipping a Cube to Detroit is nothing when you look at their marketing budget. Okay we can skip on the dancing girls and the glitzy displays. Quite frankly I also don't mind if they have local dealers staff the display. At least they might know something about the vehicles. But there is no excuse for a mainline company light Nissan not to be there in some form. There are a large number of people who actually go to auto shows to shop for cars and just actually want to see what is out there now for sale.
J. Albert 4:53PM (11/29/2008)
Wow Detroit has now entered the rareified ranks for the Columbus autoshow and the Orange county autoshow. Replace participation by the manufacturer with a room full of car salesmen. They just put a bunch of dealer cars on the floor and the salesmen(who are just suppose to be helpful and answer your questions) try to get you to buy.. expect lots of business cards. Sigh .. It s gonna be like going to a car lot not a show. Thats depressing.
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elprogramer 5:25PM (11/29/2008)
I guess Nissan shot their wad already.
They might not have a large market in Detroit, but the NAIAS is still the premiere event for the automotive world. While the other auto-manufacturers are displaying their toys, people will have already forgotten about Ghosn's lineup.
I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, but the press alone would be worth the display.
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Mobius_1 5:51PM (11/29/2008)
Maybe a Nissan dealer in Detroit can save some face for the corp? Isn't that what some Ferrari dealer did (in NY I think) coz the Maranello boys didn't show up?
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Mobius_1 5:56PM (11/29/2008)
Ignore me, I am an idiot, I didn't RTFA...
Michael 7:53PM (11/29/2008)
Dude, RTFA.
Oh wait.
Cray 5:52PM (11/29/2008)
I guess they don't want to be associated with Detroit. Which is as of right now in regards to the auto industry, is synonymous with inept failure.
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Sid 6:35PM (11/29/2008)
Let's not go nuts. It's very easy to kick a company when it's down but they deserve our respect for the simple fact that they are trying their level best and some of the best product in the market today is domestic. And I say this as a hardcore Mazda fanboy. But I love cars and if a company makes good cars, then it's a good car company. Simple. The Japanese support their car companies through good and bad times. We owe it to the domestic car makers to do the same. The diversity in the marketplace would be that much less if the Big 2.5 failed. I love my RX-8s and 350Zs but when a Challenger SRT-8 roars past, I can't help but smile and wave :)
dougjp 6:49PM (11/29/2008)
Sid, very well said!
I don't own a domestic either however want to give them a fair chance to get my business in future. I was looking at a few of their better ones months ago, however it won't happen unless I'm satisfied they will be around to provide parts and warranty claims.
Himself 10:44PM (11/29/2008)
This more than anything leaves me with the impression that Nissan wants to appear to be "too good" to show at Detroit. I mean after all, Porsche wont be there..and Nissan wants us not to forget that the GT-R is by all accounts the greatest modern achievement for the automotive realm.
What a joke.
Some may be considering cost...but I can see Nissan thinking of it as a way to kick Detroit while it's down.
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redcars 1:00AM (11/30/2008)
Give the Chicago and Detroit dealers some credit. The money is coming out of their pockets. I would be disappointed. If I paid good money for a car show, I want to see some cars!
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LesPaul1 10:13AM (11/30/2008)
everyone here is talking about it like Nissan is "disrespectin'" Detroit, when it might be a legitimate business decision. Since I'm ignorant, can someone explain how much of an impact Nissan's absence has over the autshow.
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Mikeeeee 9:21AM (11/30/2008)
Hey people, Nissan is in the Detroit Auto Show.
It is just that the local Dealers are paying for it, not Nissan.
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Matt 9:27AM (11/30/2008)
Wow, no 370Z in Detroit? I was at the rather insignificant Orlando auto show yesterday and they had one there. A GT-R too. What a shame.
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Jvijil 1:32PM (11/30/2008)
they should at least send a cube and a 370z to put on display. let the dealers pay for it but at least help them out nissan...
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The GT-R is a front 2:37AM (12/01/2008)
Does Nissan even know what they're doing?
First a press release in Auto News to say they aren't going to Detroit & Chicago. 2-3 days later they back pedal on the Chicago auto show, probably because the dealers in one of the biggest markets freak out. Now the dealers from Detroit are gonna put up a stink and see if they can get NYAIS put back on the schedule. Maybe Nissan is in trouble in a big way too, or maybe it's being managed in America by people who used to work for the Big 3.
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