Japan’s Automobile Manufacturers’ Association is considering canceling the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, scheduled to kick off in late October. The major trade show is supposed to be a biennial event, with the last one held in 2007. JAMA has cited the potential withdrawal of several major automakers as a possible reason for cancellation. It goes without saying the weak world economy to blame.
The first Tokyo Motor Show was held in 1954. It continued to be an annual event up until 1973, when it became biennial. This went on until 1999, when the show became an annual conference yet again. The biennial timing resumed between the 2005 and 2007 shows.
The theme of 2009′s show is “fun driving for us, eco driving for Earth,” according to organizers.
Discussions about canceling the event first emerged when several non-Japanese automakers said they might have to pull out. Now, several Japanese exhibitors are also considering withdrawing.
“A couple companies are not in favor of organizing the show under these conditions, but that is not JAMA’s opinion,” Toshihiro Iwatake, JAMA’s executive director and secretary general, told Automotive News.
Iwatake told the trade publication his organization views the event as “a symbol of industrial prosperity.” He went on to say that if the conference is cancelled, “the Americans and Europeans will say, ‘Oh, Japan is sinking and the Chinese are up.’”
So far, Honda , Toyota , and Nissan are still on board with the show, but privately they’re questioning whether it should go forward. A Japanese industry source told Auto News that if one of the big three Japanese automakers decides to pull out, it could doom the 2009 event.
