Hyundai drops out of Tokyo Motor Show
September 29, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Just a day after attendance figures for one of the world’s largest motor shows, Frankfurt, show a serious decline in numbers comes news that Hyundai will pull out of next month’s Tokyo International Motor Show.
Administrator of international exhibitors for the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Mr Toyokazu Ishida, described the last minute decision as “unbelievable”.
“Hyundai called last week and orally confirmed their intent to cancel,” said Mr Ishida. “It’s unbelievable.”
The South Korean manufacturer’s exit leaves just two minor foreign manufacturers at the event: German boutique manufacturer Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen and British sports-car maker Lotus. The Detroit 3 (Chrysler, Ford, GM) were among the first to drop out earlier this year.
The Tokyo show, held every two years, was once the premier auto event in Asia. But it is being hit hard as international players sit out to save cash amid the global market slump.
It can cost millions to exhibit, and even some Japanese manufacturers had proposed that this year’s event be canceled because of the slumping economy.
Hyundai officials in Seoul could not immediate confirm or comment on their plans for the show. JAMA is still awaiting written confirmation of the decision.
JAMA officials said they did not know why the company was pulling out. Japan’s Mainichi newspaper said it was a cost-cutting measure.
The Tokyo International Motor Show will run from October 24 to November 4.
With: Reuters
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Wow, that’s crazy news. I see Hyundai all the time on commercials saying they’re cars can compete with BMW, Mercedes, etc. But pulling out of a car show, doesn’t hold well for the future, does it?
BMW and Mercedes have both pulled out of motor shows before, with more likely in the future. But I don’t understand the massive decline in show numbers! Surely the want to see radical concepts from the world’s best car makers hasn’t diminished? And the economic crisis isn’t really a valid excuse for the drop in attendance figures. Makes me wonder…
A mate of mine took his family to Frankfurt, cost a small fortune in tickets and had to wait and shuffle through crowds roughly 10 deep to get to see anything mildly interesting. Reckons the value isn’t there. Won’t be attending any others unless there is something really special that interests him.
Add the cost to the public with the amount that these show organisers charge for floor space at the shows and everything becomes easy to understand the falling attendences.
Motor shows are a luxury.
Tickets are expensive.
Take the family to a show featuring cars you’ll likely never afford… or knock 100 Euros off the mortgage?
Right now, people are being frugal. You can see all the new concepts on the web, after all.
U got some nerve Hyundai
Good decision by Hyundai, I think.
Japanese don’t buy Hyundai anyway so why bother spending $$$ on the show.