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According to Automotive News, Hyundai has officially withdrawn its name from October’s Tokyo Motor Show.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.
09/28, 3:17 PM
posted by:
aesir
What did they do orally?
09/28, 3:22 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
So… are there officially more manufacturers skipping this show than there are attending?
09/28, 3:23 PM
posted by:
Bosley
Oh no!, Where will Hyundai get its designs for 3 years from now!……
09/28, 3:25 PM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
wonder what happened to Suzuki, Subaru, Mitsubishi and all the other 2nd-tier automakers…
09/28, 3:32 PM
posted by:
05Z88Path
And since there will be nothing worth seeing at the Toyota and Honda displays, that leaves a pretty limited number of cars to check out!
09/28, 3:35 PM
posted by:
PerformanceGuy
I doubt many people will be upset at Hyundai not showing up!
09/28, 3:39 PM
posted by:
2WheeledSpeed
So by that math… only TWO companies at the Tokyo Motor Show will actually have any interesting cars to go see (Lotus and Nissan)…
What an exciting car show…
09/28, 3:44 PM
posted by:
aesir
What is Nissan releasing that hasn’t already been shown? 370Z convertible? Another Cube type car called the Cylinder?
09/28, 3:50 PM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
they have a large lineup of vehicles available in Japan to show versus their US offerings
http://www.nissan.co.jp/EN/lineup.html
09/28, 3:58 PM
posted by:
shaver
I could just dismiss this as the Koreans hating the Japanese. But I think it has just become clear to everyone that Japanese people are horrible drivers.
09/28, 3:59 PM
posted by:
aesir
I should have clarified. What’s exciting enough that they can show and become newsworthy enough for an enthusiast to spill his joe about? (Mirror’s Edge reference. Started playing this finally some 2 years after it came out. Cool game. I should have got it sooner.)
09/28, 4:02 PM
posted by:
Smegley Wanxalot
Since they are out 122k I’d just spend and add’l grand on a sign that says “Toyota Suck Balls” and set it on the floor
09/28, 4:52 PM
posted by:
Cardemon04
this news may depress NMOFGM beyond the breaking point.
but really, who cares?
09/28, 4:57 PM
posted by:
F50
Aren’t they showing the new Toyota/Subaru Coupe?
09/28, 5:09 PM
posted by:
A4
I’m a fan of Smegley’s idea.
09/28, 6:12 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
What’s going on? I saw something about Asia, oral and $122,000 and I ran off to check the balance on my MasterCard.
09/28, 6:14 PM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
are they at least going to let the models that would be prancing around cars prance around in that space? would seem a waste of an opportunity for good prancing…
09/28, 6:24 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
The can prance around the sign, point at it with their modeling gestures, point at the other makers and laugh, and give some oral consultations. I’m sure they’d make the $122k back quickly in new customers.
09/28, 7:43 PM
posted by:
DrFill
In other words, the tru players only will be there
Good!
DrFill
09/28, 7:52 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Doc, are you saying they’ll be playing with themselves?
09/28, 8:02 PM
posted by:
CiNO
I dun care about Crappy Hyundai. as long as I can see Lexus LF-A, Toyota Subaru sport coupe, (or maybe Toyota Supra concept), I dun give a f**k. Opp can wait to see the new Japanese performance productions!!!
09/28, 8:54 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Johnny
Leave the jokes to me, k?
DrFill
09/29, 11:05 AM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
most of your posts are jokes, whether you intend them that way or not…
09/29, 12:05 PM
posted by:
reedfast
Jeeze, there were more companies in denver. The only ones who didint show up were porsche and jeep. At least in big names.
09/29, 4:20 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
At least Johnny’s jokes are funny.