  Genesyxx Member Username: Genesyxx Post Number: 844 Registered: 02-2004 |
Snippet of the article: Executives at import brands said they are re-evaluating which is the best U.S. venue for their vehicles -- the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center, which attracts the most journalists, or the auto shows in Los Angeles and New York, cities where they have more customers. "There's a lot of discussion about this, especially as we all have to save money and target our investment," said Stefan Krause, BMW AG board member in charge of sales. "We noticed that a few companies didn't come, a few of our competitors didn't have press conferences." BMW introduced the production version of its X6 crossover and a 1 Series convertible this week. But the Bavarian automaker hasn't decided whether to maintain the same presence in Detroit next year. "We're observing what other brands are doing," Krause said. "There was a lot of discussion prompted by Porsche's move out." Porsche AG caused a stir last year when it said it would quit Detroit to focus on shows in regions where its customers are concentrated. http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20080116/A UTO04/801160390/1364 | ||
D_mcc Member Username: D_mcc Post Number: 109 Registered: 12-2007 |
And so it begins, the exodus from Detroit | ||
Scooter2k7 Member Username: Scooter2k7 Post Number: 51 Registered: 10-2007 |
This makes sense for BMW. Porsche left the NAIAS because they do not have a customer base strong enough here to support it. It was not a knock against the show or the city. Why spend the money on one show where you have a larger customer base at other shows. This is BMW we are talking about here, not like Ford is saying we this. | ||
Higgs1634 Member Username: Higgs1634 Post Number: 280 Registered: 10-2005 |
While that may be true Scooter, people don't go to the auto show (and reporters dont come from around the world) to just to look at Fords. They go partially so they can see all the exotic cars and high end offerings. When you go, watch which cars people scramble to get in and photographed in front of. It ain't the Ford Taurus. BMW, Porche, Mercedes...whomever...pulls out, it just becomes a regional auto show with nothing of national /international import. | ||
Track75 Member Username: Track75 Post Number: 2686 Registered: 10-2003 |
If a few more leave maybe that'll quiet those politicians who want to spend a half-billion in tax dollars to expand Cobo. | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 2533 Registered: 04-2006 |
WHAT YOU BUY DRIVES AMERICA! | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 2534 Registered: 04-2006 |
But what it sounds like they are trying to do is undermine the importance of Detroit's show. People can go to a dealership for free and see nearly any car that they want up close and personal. It sounds like they favor the big show being moved to another city... | ||
Ndavies Member Username: Ndavies Post Number: 2919 Registered: 10-2003 |
What's the problem? The expensive Europeans, who are suffering from the Dollar's weakness, will be replaced by the Chinese and Indian manufacturers. I'm sure the Chinese manufacturers would love to have a large display upstairs instead of being relegated to Cobo's Basement and entrance. | ||
Crumbled_pavement Member Username: Crumbled_pavement Post Number: 111 Registered: 08-2007 |
Iheartthed said: "WHAT YOU BUY DRIVES AMERICA!" This is a perfect time to focus on mass transportation. Write Jennifer Granholm and your congressmen to restore SMART bus service to Livonia. We need leadership in Lansing to do this. | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 2535 Registered: 04-2006 |
quote: Yeah, but don't hold your breath. I'm a bit disappointed in Ms. Granholm for not immediately capitalizing on her final term to make some necessary changes. She has done well to identify problems like transit and brain drain but has been lackadaisical in pursuing efforts to remedy them... IMO. | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 1385 Registered: 09-2007 |
Now how dare the Motor skip over the Motor City? There's just no respect anymore! |
