Tokyo Motor Show may be canceled

UPDATE This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today. The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association denied reports Tuesday that it was considering canceling the Tokyo motor show this year.

Most of the world's automakers are struggling because of the global downturn, and there has been talk in the industry that several car companies will skip the Tokyo show held in the fall to save money.

But William Duncan, general director of JAMA's Washington office, said the association had stated firmly that there was no discussion of a cancellation.

01/13/09 The Japan Automobile Manufacturers’ Association is debating whether to cancel the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, a JAMA executive said today.

The debate is driven in part by fewer non-Japanese automakers’ having signed up to take part in the October show amid the global financial crisis. But some Japanese exhibitors also are proposing that the show be canceled this year.

“A couple companies are not in favor of organizing the show under these conditions, but that is not JAMA’s opinion," Toshihiro Iwatake, JAMA’s executive director and secretary general, told Automotive News.

The 41st annual Tokyo Motor Show is scheduled to take place Oct. 23-Nov. 8. Press days are to be Oct. 21 and 22. The theme is “Fun driving for us, eco driving for earth."

A decision on whether to cancel the show will be made by early next month, he said. AutoWeek