2009 Tokyo Auto Show Continues To Shrink as Hyundai Is Latest Dropout

TOKYO — The 2009 Tokyo Auto Show is in peril of becoming little more than a local show with a handful of manufacturers exhibiting vehicles, as Hyundai became the latest dropout. The Detroit automakers were among the first to pull the plug on the Tokyo show earlier this year.

Organizers of the international exhibition, which used to be one of the top auto shows in the world, confirmed that Hyundai has canceled, according to media reports.

Hyundai Motor America would not confirm the withdrawal when contacted by Inside Line but hastened to underscore that "we will be in Detroit, as always.

"Not sure yet if we have an intro at NAIAS," wrote Hyundai Motor America spokesman Dan Bedore in an e-mailed message to Inside Line regarding the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.

Almost as if on cue, the organizers of the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show issued a statement on Tuesday sketching out plans for their show, which takes place in December. "Approximately 30 vehicles will make their world and North American debuts in Los Angeles," the statement said. "World debuts will be unveiled from manufacturers including Audi, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Porsche, Toyota and others yet to be announced."

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association still listed Hyundai as one of the exhibitors at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show. The Korean automaker's exit leaves just German boutique manufacturer Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen and Lotus in the ranks of foreign manufacturers at the show, according to the exhibitor list. The rest of the participants include Japanese automakers Daihatsu, Fuji Heavy Industries, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Suzuki and Toyota.

Inside Line says: Auto show season gets off to a shaky start with the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show as a shadow of its former self. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent