General Motors has confirmed that it will not be exhibiting at this year’s Tokyo show, casting doubts over the future of the biennial Japanese motor show.
Rick Brown, president of GM Asia Pacific, said: “We won't be participating”, adding that going to the Tokyo motor show in October just to “raise the corporate flag” was “not a good business decision”.
The attention now turns to Chrysler and Ford, the other troubled US manufacturers, with reports in the Japanese media already suggesting that the two companies are ready to pull out.
>> Read more about the concerns over the future of the 2009 Tokyo showThe Detroit motor show also suffered from a number of withdrawals, including three Japanese companies – Suzuki, Nissan and Mitsubishi – all of whom have been hit hard by declining global sales and the dramatic rise in the value of the yen.
A decision on the future of the Tokyo show will be made in early February by the show’s organisers, the Japan Automobile Manufacturer’s Association.
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