2009 Tokyo Motor Show In Doubt

Motoring Channel Staff - 16/January/2009

Tokyo, Japan — As the global financial crisis continues to adversely affect the revenue of automotive companies and car makers, news is emerging that the biennial Tokyo Motor Show could be cancelled.

A handful of motor shows in Australia have been cancelled due to manufacturers tightening their belts and pulling out of events, and with news that Chrysler, GM and possibly even Ford will not attend the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, there is now an increased chance that it could be cancelled.

Speaking to Automotive News, the president of GM Asia Pacific, Rick Brown, said it wasn't financially able to attend the show.

"If you really look at the business conditions that we are in right now, where we really have to make a bang out of every buck we spend, it’s simply a business decision," stated Mr Brown.

Chrysler made a statement similar to GM's, citing the recent US bailout and the need to save cash and work on creating a new generation of car.

At the time of publication, Ford had made no such statement but is believed to have missed the registration deadline for the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, which is scheduled for October 23rd.

It is Asia's biggest and most prestigious motor show, but even the Japanese Automobile Manufacturers' Association (JAMA) is believed to have considered cancelling the event.

It's possible that some Japanese car makers could pull out of the show as well. 

Suzuki, Mitsubishi and Nissan were absent at the recent Detroit Auto Show and after the withdrawals of the American big three from the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, other companies could be inclined to pull out.

Toshihiro Iwatake, the executive director and secretary general of JAMA told the Automotive News: "A couple companies are not in favor of organising the show under these conditions, but that is not JAMA’s opinion."

Toyota, Nissan, and Honda have all registered for the show but some industry insiders are questioning their commitment, pointing out the dire situation of the Japanese economy.

Iwatake added that if the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show is cancelled, "the Americans and Europeans will say, ‘Oh, Japan is sinking and the Chinese are up.’"

The 2009 Tokyo Motor Show is expected to showcase a range of new technologies, including hybrid and electric cars.

It's theme is "Fun driving for us, eco driving for Earth".