When the North American International Auto Show opens up its doors in Detroit this January, one automaker will be noticeable absent from the party. Porsche has decided that its marketing dollars are better spent on "direct customer contact," according to Tony Fouladpour, Porsche's N.A. spokesperson. "It was purely a business decision," Fourladpour goes on to say in an interview with Automotive News, citing that only 290 Porsches were sold in Michigan in 2006, versus nearly 9,000 in California.
The plan is to only attend shows where the marque is in high demand, so Porsche still plans to have a presence at shows hosted in L.A., S.F., New York, Miami, Dallas and a few other smaller venues.
While the logic of blowing off the largest automotive expo in North America escapes us, it would be a pity if Porsche decides to return to the fray, and is subsequently relegated to a less desirable spot at Cobo Hall. It's happened to Kia, so it isn't out of the question. Then again, Porsche is no Kia.
UPDATE: Porsche's official press release has been added after the jump.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
PRESS RELEASE:
Porsche restructures North American motor show activities
Stuttgart/Atlanta. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany, is
reorganizing its trade-fair activities in North America, in close
collaboration with its sales company in Atlanta. As part of the general
reduction in trade-fair appearances which began two years ago, in favor of
greater emphasis on direct contact with potential customers, motor show
activities will in future be concentrated in the main sales areas of
Porsche Cars North America (PCNA). Of the North American trade fairs in
2008, Porsche will among others be attending those in Chicago, Los Angeles,
Miami, New York and Toronto. The company is no longer expected to attend
the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
As a successful supplier of sporty premium vehicles, Porsche is an
exclusive niche manufacturer in the USA and Canada, just as it is
elsewhere. Despite consistently achieving record sales figures, Porsche
constantly strives to use its limited resources in the most efficient,
customer-oriented manner possible. Of the 36,669 vehicles delivered to
customers in North America by Porsche during its record 2005/06 fiscal
year, over 20,000 were destined for the West and East Coasts. These results
go to show that the restructuring of trade-fair activities was a strategic
company decision that is bearing fruit.
The plan is to only attend shows where the marque is in high demand, so Porsche still plans to have a presence at shows hosted in L.A., S.F., New York, Miami, Dallas and a few other smaller venues.
While the logic of blowing off the largest automotive expo in North America escapes us, it would be a pity if Porsche decides to return to the fray, and is subsequently relegated to a less desirable spot at Cobo Hall. It's happened to Kia, so it isn't out of the question. Then again, Porsche is no Kia.
UPDATE: Porsche's official press release has been added after the jump.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
PRESS RELEASE:
Porsche restructures North American motor show activities
Stuttgart/Atlanta. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany, is
reorganizing its trade-fair activities in North America, in close
collaboration with its sales company in Atlanta. As part of the general
reduction in trade-fair appearances which began two years ago, in favor of
greater emphasis on direct contact with potential customers, motor show
activities will in future be concentrated in the main sales areas of
Porsche Cars North America (PCNA). Of the North American trade fairs in
2008, Porsche will among others be attending those in Chicago, Los Angeles,
Miami, New York and Toronto. The company is no longer expected to attend
the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
As a successful supplier of sporty premium vehicles, Porsche is an
exclusive niche manufacturer in the USA and Canada, just as it is
elsewhere. Despite consistently achieving record sales figures, Porsche
constantly strives to use its limited resources in the most efficient,
customer-oriented manner possible. Of the 36,669 vehicles delivered to
customers in North America by Porsche during its record 2005/06 fiscal
year, over 20,000 were destined for the West and East Coasts. These results
go to show that the restructuring of trade-fair activities was a strategic
company decision that is bearing fruit.
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