Four automakers pull out of the 2009 Detroit Auto Show

Ryan Beene
Crain's Detroit Business
November 14, 2008 - 4:34 pm ET


DETROIT --Rolls Royce and Land Rover, as well as Italian sports car maker
Ferrari and economy-focused automaker Suzuki, have told show officials they
will not have displays at the North American International Auto show this
year. Detroit show officials could not be reached for comment, but Sam
Locricchio, a vice president at John Bailey & Associates Inc., confirmed the
automakers would not have a presence this year.



John Bailey & Associates is a public-relations firm that handles
communications for the auto show.

As for other changes to the show this year, Locricchio said it was unclear
exactly how the rest of the show's attendees would tailor their displays to
respond to the auto industry's significant struggles.

"Here we are in mid-November and it's a bit early to see how this is going
to shake out," he said.

In a move to cut costs, General Motors Corp. cancelled the planned world
debuts for its 2010 Cadillac CTS Coupe and Buick LaCrosse at this month's
Los Angeles Auto Show and move the unveiling to the Detroit show.

Volkswagen AG also said it planned to debut a new concept roadster at the
L.A. show on Nov. 19, but postponed it until the Detroit show.

Both GM and Volkswagen cited the Detroit show's high profile and tremendous
media presence as motivation to move the debuts to Cobo Center.

But if the net industry presence at the show slips, it will decrease
revenues to Cobo Center and the region.

The auto show generated $476 million, or 80 percent, of Cobo Center's $595
million contribution in to the region's economy 2006, Crain's reported in
November 2007.