Porsche ditches the 2008 NAIAS

[edkwon]

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/11/n...oit-auto-show/

CN: Porsche says 'nein' to attending the 2008 Detroit aka North American Intl Auto Show

When the North American International Auto Show opens up its doors in Detroit this January, one automaker will be noticeable absent from the party. Porsche has decided that its marketing dollars are better spent on "direct customer contact," according to Tony Fouladpour, Porsche's N.A. spokesperson. "It was purely a business decision," Fourladpour goes on to say in an interview with Automotive News, citing that only 290 Porsches were sold in Michigan in 2006, versus nearly 9,000 in California.

The plan is to only attend shows where the marque is in high demand, so Porsche still plans to have a presence at shows hosted in L.A., S.F., New York, Miami, Dallas and a few other smaller venues.

While the logic of blowing off the largest automotive expo in North America escapes us, it would be a pity if Porsche decides to return to the fray, and is subsequently relegated to a less desirable spot at Cobo Hall. It's happened to Kia, so it isn't out of the question. Then again, Porsche is no Kia.

bottom line, even tho the Detroit show is one of the largest industry shows in the US, Porsche feels that midwesterners are not Porsche ppl and attending the Detroit show is below them.

[thedguy]

Originally Posted by edkwon

bottom line, even tho the Detroit show is one of the largest industry shows in the US, Porsche feels that midwesterners are not Porsche ppl and attending the Detroit show is below them.

Wasn't this the same complaint peopled used when BMW said "screw the UK" and not goto the British motor show?

Honestly though, I'm not surprised. The midwest is notoriously "America! FUCK YEAH!" and going to Detroit for Porsche is obviously a waste of money. BTW, Dallas is arguably in the Midwest.

[watto]

Originally Posted by edkwon

bottom line, even tho the Detroit show is one of the largest industry shows in the US, Porsche feels that midwesterners are not Porsche ppl and attending the Detroit show is below them.

I'm seeing how Porsche sees it, from a marketing view. Why spend stacks and stacks of money for a Motor Show in a state where you only sold 290 units the previous year? Sure, it's the biggest show in the U.S but they're going to have a higher profile in California and more chance of getting new customers (290 vs 9000 sales says it all)

[Viper007Bond]

Tough one. Sure, you don't sell any cars there, but it's the place to reveal new cars and such.

But showing off existing models there is kinda a waste for them since no local is gonna care.

[MXM]

So who will be the next one to repeat those 2 points? 1) Aw, it's the biggest motorshow, 2) Yeah, nobody cares about Porsche there

[edkwon]

You have to stop focusing on the fact its Michigan tho, its also the big show for exposure to the national and international auto press, not so much for the local yokels who attend the show from the detroit suburbs, and remember, aside from the smaller Chicago auto show, there are no other major auto shows of significance in that entire region of the country, were talking at least 10-15 states. Thats why NY and LA are the other major auto shows because they cover each of the coastal areas respectively. So porsche is making a statement about an entire third of the country, not just michigan.

I agree if the NAIAS were some little podunk show that shows recycyled models from other bigger shows, then who cares.

[bone]

Originally Posted by watto

I'm seeing how Porsche sees it, from a marketing view. Why spend stacks and stacks of money for a Motor Show in a state where you only sold 290 units the previous year? Sure, it's the biggest show in the U.S but they're going to have a higher profile in California and more chance of getting new customers (290 vs 9000 sales says it all)

true

plus, every brand is in detroit, with their newest creations, begging for attention. if porsche shows theirs during a smaller show, they'll have all the attention to them alone

[bartboy9891]

That's nonsense, the NAIAS isn't a place to showcase affordable cars that the populace buys. What about Ferrari, Maserati, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Lamborghini etc? Why should any of them show up at all?

At the Detroit show, Porsche has one of the prime spots. When you enter the first thing you see is Porsche, when you exit the last thing you see is Porsche.

[lv2xlr8]

Are they going to be at the Chicago auto show? While it is smaller than Detroit it is still very large considering they expanded it last year.

They would get more attention at Detroit because when I went there a few years ago it was so packed you could barely move.