REPORT: German automakers could join others in skipping Tokyo Motor Show
Although Volvo has already said that it would not participate in this October's Tokyo Motor Show, the Swedish automaker's German contemporaries are reportedly dragging their feet on similar public announcements in an effort to not be the first from their country to do so. According to a brief Automotive News item, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are "unlikely to participate" as part of an effort to limit expenditures, and Volkswagen AG and supplier Bosch are among those said to be on the fence. Speaking about the pullout possibilities, an unnamed Automobilwoche (AN's Germanic sister publication) source has said that "No one wants to be in the unpopular position of being the first to announce their exit." Perhaps, but that didn't stop Volvo from letting some air out of Tokyo's balloons, nor did it keep the Detroit 3 from doing the same before them.
[Source: Automotive News - subs. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
DayShifter 2:01PM (3/23/2009)
Wait, I only thought companies pulled out of auto shows because of COBO Hall in Detroit. ;-)
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Kitko 1:22PM (3/23/2009)
Attention, this is the "thumbs down" opinion.
Why would be the Janapese interested in seeing questionable European and US cars is beyond me.
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Sektor 1:47PM (3/23/2009)
It doesn't even matter anyways, since Japan has the most ridiculous protectionist import taxes on the planet. U.S. (and Europe) should do the same, and then we'd see how well off the Japanese automakers would be.
Sea Urchin 3:36PM (3/23/2009)
Sector, Brazil is the worlds largest producer of ethanol. Do you ever wonder how come we can not purchase Brazilian Ethanol? Take a guess.
Also, do you notice that make foods in USA use corn syrup, which is a sugar substitute.
This will shock you to your core..................USA protects its industry from competition as well. We chose to protect farmers, THEY chose to protect car makers. USA can take Japan to WTO Court and win, but Japan will courter sue and force USA to remove its own subsidies which USA does not want to do.
So, yes Japan does engage in illegal activities, subsidies, imports and such....but let's not overlook USA either.
One more point for you to digest, do you ever wonder why D3 buying pick up trucks? Because Japanese do build a lot of cars outside of USA, but they can not import those cars into America because we have a 25% import on all pick up trucks from countries that have not signed a special trade deal with us, like Thailand (the worlds second largest pick up producer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Ranger#Small_pickups_and_the_.22Chicken_Tax.22
Google chicken tax
izorro 1:50PM (3/23/2009)
Well a couple of years back I had seen an article where Japanese perception was that German engineering was better than Japanese but I'm not sure if that still rings true though.
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superman211 3:18PM (3/23/2009)
Well I think the Japanese are pretty good at getting technology on the road and in their cars. But the don't make stuff people want to drive. With a few exceptions 350Z G37 S2000 GTR. German cars and some US vehicles are just more fun and less nanny freaks.
Luis 2:42PM (3/23/2009)
Japanese don't buy German cars, or American cars...why should German or American companies pour resources into Japan? Same with Michigan.
New York here I come!
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superman211 3:19PM (3/23/2009)
Asians LOVE German cars. You don't get out much do you.
Luis 9:14AM (3/25/2009)
JAPANESE. I didn't say all Asians. Anyway, their government stifles competition. They don't deserve to have them at the show.