JAMA says Tokyo Motor Show may be cancelled

[Haltech]

Filed under: Japan, Tokyo Motor Show

Blaming the global financial crisis, and the fact that fewer non-Japanese automakers have signed up to exhibit, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers' Association is in the midst of debating whether or not to cancel the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. The show is set to run this Oct. 23-Nov. 8. If canceled, it won't open its doors again until 2011 due to scheduling agreements with other top-tier auto shows. Toshihiro Iwatake, JAMA's executive director and secretary general, told Automotive News that he favors going ahead with the show regardless. "We think the motor show is a symbol of industrial prosperity," he said. "We have to show that our industry is healthy." Iwatake added that the deadline for automakers to register was late last year, and some of the "usual manufacturers" hadn't made the cut... but he wouldn't say which manufacturers hadn't booked the show.

The North American International Auto Show is in full swing this week even with the absence of industry players such as Nissan, Suzuki, Porsche, and Land Rover. Each of the Detroit 3 are strongly present. If one of the Japanese Big 3 (Toyota, Honda, and Nissan) pull out of the Tokyo Motor Show, the event could face certain doom say industry sources. The decision on whether or not to cancel the Tokyo Motor Show will be made next month. In the meantime, Iwatake says that JAMA is welcoming late registrants.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]JAMA says Tokyo Motor Show may be cancelled originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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