Currently reading: Attention shifts to Geneva
Manufacturers look ahead to Geneva motor show

January’s Detroit motor show looks on shaky ground as many global manufacturers withdraw and others cancel launches and press conferences.

Ferrari, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Land Rover, Nissan, Infiniti, Mitsubishi and Suzuki have all pulled out of the North America’s flagship motor show.

Honda has cancelled its press conference and postponed the launch of the Honda NSX, which was going to be at the show, reportedly because bosses don’t believe Detroit will offer adequate coverage.

A production version of the Honda Insight has also been pulled from the show and will now make its debut at Geneva.

Chinese manufacturers, who are usually confined to the basement level in Detroit, will make up the numbers. They’re being ramped up to the main show floor to fill the vacant stands. Both BYD and Brilliance will get prime positions.

It all stands in stark contrast to the usually brash and expensive launches staged at Detroit by America’s Big Three and other global manufacturers.

Will Powell

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Casanova 30 November 2008

Re: Detroit: attention shifts to Geneva

How the mighty have fallen. It must be salt in the wounds for the Detroit Show to become what it has. China Brilliance one of the stars of the show? The times, they are a-changin'.