Ferrari, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Suzuki all pull out of Detroit show
11/12/2008, 3:26 PM
By Andrew Ganz
After General Motors’ announcement yesterday that it is canceling its annual Los Angeles Auto Show press conference, the news that Ferrari, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce and Suzuki are skipping the Detroit show comes as less of a surprise than it could have. Los Angeles’ show has been taking away some of Detroit’s glory and with the auto industry in turmoil, automakers from all sides of the market are scrambling to save cash.
GM will, however, exhibit cars at the Los Angeles show next week, whereas Ferrari, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce and Suzuki will not have any presence whatsoever in Detroit for January’s North American International Auto Show.
The automakers all say that their decisions to pull out of the Detroit show is not a reflection on the Detroit-area market or the show itself, but rather because they have no new products to exhibit and they are looking to save money on the cost of transporting cars (up to $10,000 per car) and show stands. The Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago and New York auto shows are all unique in that the automakers typically foot the bill for the vehicles and displays, whereas smaller shows come out of dealer pockets.
Chrysler, however, is forcing its local dealers to pay for its stand in Los Angeles.
11/12, 3:50 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
Los Angeles does put-on a great auto show, but I do lament the tradition being lost through not supporting the Detroit auto show. Chrysler’s low-ball tactics show a disrespect for the dealers, but with Cerberus at the helm it is to be expected.
11/12, 4:38 PM
posted by:
Need4SSpeed
yeah… that sucks…. Oh well Ferrari is the only one of the bunch pulling out that I actually look forward to seeing…. I’ll just have to jump on the Amtrack from Detroit to Chicago and see the Chicago auto show too.
11/12, 5:12 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
If you ever have the chance to make it to the L.A. show, trust me you’ll love it, 1/3 of what was a SEMA, comes over to L.A., and to thank Detroit moved it show to January to still the spot light from L.A. a few years back, …..
11/12, 5:40 PM
posted by:
A4
nobody wants to go to detroit
11/12, 6:07 PM
posted by:
MercMark
How will Ferrari survive without the huge Detroit area sales generated by this show?
11/12, 10:14 PM
posted by:
eff1Fifty
Merc is right!
Did anybody go to the Anaheim Show? they dropped the aftermarket area downstairs. I hope LA still has an “underground” section… cuz like Yarddog said, SEMA is just up the road
11/12, 10:40 PM
posted by:
planet_drive
Detroit is such a **** hole of a city. I felt like I was in a third world country when I was there. Michigan is a failing state, detroit is just sinking deeper into the sewers and I don’t blame the prestige automakers not wanting to show their cars at Detroit. Cobo hall isn’t even that impressive of a facility. Los Angeles autoshow is much nicer.
11/12, 11:12 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
@eff1Fifty, I have no idea why they still continue the Anaheim show as it’s terrible; just a small fraction of what the L.A. show has to offer.
11/13, 12:29 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
It’s the beggining of the end for detroit