The Tokyo Motor Show has established itself as a major stop on the auto show tour over the last few years, but the 2009 show promises to look more like a ghost town than Asia’s premier automotive event. Bringing the no-show list to well over 20, Hyundai has announced it will be skipping this year’s Tokyo show.
According to Automotive News, Hyundai has officially withdrawn its name from October’s Tokyo Motor Show. Hyundai failed to give a reason for its decision, but cost-cutting is the most likely culprit.
“ Hyundai called last week and orally confirmed their intent to cancel,” Toyokazu Ishida, who administers the international exhibition for the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, told Automotive News. “It’s unbelievable.” A written confirmation is expected in the coming days.
The news comes as a bit of a surprise as Hyundai has already paid a $122,000 non-refundable fee for a 4,300 square foot display at the Tokyo show. However, as auto show exhibits can easily cost millions of dollars, the decision to skip the show will still net Hyundai a large savings.
With Hyundai officially off the guest list, the Tokyo show will essentially consist of Toyota , Honda , Nissan and Lotus .
