German brands will attend Detroit Auto Show for at least one more year
by Michael Harley on Mar 2nd 2009 at 7:29PM 
Regardless of their displeasure with the cost, size and quality of Cobo Hall in Detroit, executives from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen have committed to at least one more round of exhibits at the annual North American International Auto Show held at the venue each January. The German automakers occupy serious square footage at the show, and the exhibits generate much needed jobs and revenue, so the news was obviously welcomed by show officials.
As automakers scale back and exit auto shows due to the economy, or rethink marketing strategies as new markets in India, Russia, and Brazil open up, the big traditional auto shows (such as those in Detroit and Tokyo) are feeling the pressure. The latest news is that Tokyo's show is now on the verge of cancellation with the departure of Detroit's three automakers. While the Germans returning for NAIAS 2010 is welcomed news, the underlying message is that local officials (and the Detroit city council) are going to have to work even harder to save the show for 2011.
[Source: Freep.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BigWill 7:47PM (3/02/2009)
Not if Monica Conyers has her way.
Reply
Len_A 8:13PM (3/02/2009)
Gawd damn, isn't that the truth.
Carmine 11:07PM (3/02/2009)
what's her deal? please excuse my ignorance.
BigWill 12:17AM (3/03/2009)
There are two basic ways to say it. The politically correct way is that Monica and the rest of Detroit City Hall feel they're being taken advantage of by outside forces. The politically incorrect but more accurate statement is that Detroit City Hall firmly believes the White Devils are attemping to rape Detroit and steal its riches. Seriously.
Corey W. 10:22AM (3/03/2009)
The deal was shady, all involved were not brought to negotiations at the same time and these are the same entities that told Detroit "F-You" a couple of years ago when this issue came up. It's easy to look from the outside and say it's stupid, but if you look at the big picture, this is just one more thing Detroit has to sell off. My question is why not go back to the table and hash out a deal everyone is happy with?!?
Tony 9:40PM (3/02/2009)
This is just my opinion. Due to the financial crisis that many manufacturers are facing I can foresee a significantly longer shelf life for existing products and a reduction in all new products due to the expense. I can see auto shows going the same way as the Australian show, having a show every two years. Another alternative would be for L.A to hold a show one year with Detroit holding the event the next. I myself am an avid car buff who skipped this years show in Toronto, not due to financial constraints but to lack of interest. I would've loved to have seen the G37 convertible but I felt there wasn't enough new product to warrant the expense.
Reply
Santosh Tiwari 3:37AM (3/03/2009)
I very much want the NAIAS at Detroit to be alive and well.
But, it is the Geneva that excites me the most (more hot cars and models).
Reply
Jei 1:40PM (3/03/2009)
Seems that many of the foreign automakers aren't really interested in attending autoshows outside of their home market. And rightly so b/c of shipping/transportation expenses and the fact that most of us can just check on the web to see how their grand presentations went w/o actually having to be there.
That might be the way to go. The automakers only plan grand concept reveals & presentations in autoshows held in their home market/country.
Reply
P.V. 6:19PM (3/03/2009)
Hmmm...I'm not quite sure what to say.
Reply