Nissan to pull out of car shows

NISSAN Motor Co said it is pulling out of the Detroit and Chicago auto shows, citing the tough economy and a lack of new vehicles to unveil.

"Based on the fact that we have no major new products to show at the 2009 Detroit and Chicago auto shows, as well as the current economic conditions, which will impact the shows' marketing effectiveness, we have decided to cancel our involvement and participation," the No. 3 Japanese auto maker said in a statement on Monday.

The announcement comes after Nissan made a splash last week at the Los Angeles Auto Show, where it unveiled the Nissan Cube, an updated 370Z roadster and a low-priced Versa. Its Infiniti luxury line unveiled its G37 convertible at the show.

Nissan is the latest and biggest auto maker to withdraw from Detroit's North American International Auto Show, scheduled to take place in January. Mitsubishi, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce and Suzuki have all said they will not attend the show.

"I certainly respect Nissan and any of the other companies that have to make a decision ?? hopefully a short-term decision," said Carl Galeana, co-chair of the Detroit show. "It's tough for everyone right now."

The Detroit show tends to get the most press exposure among the major United States auto shows, especially from foreign journalists. The 2008 show attracted about 700,000 people when it was held in January.

Chris Denove, vice president of JD Power and Associates, a global marketing information firm, said Nissan had little reason to spend money on an appearance in Detroit, given that it already made its big product announcements in Los Angeles.

"Detroit consumers tend to be domestic buyers who typically are connected to one of the big three," Denove said. "Ergo, (there are) not a whole lot of actual customers to reach out to in Detroit (for Nissan), relative to the cost of the show."

The Los Angeles Auto Show, which is open until November 30, attracted almost 1 million people last year, a spokesman said.

The New York Auto Show claims the largest attendance, of about 1.2 million. The Chicago show, scheduled for February, claims it is the largest show in terms of space.