Stellantis brands pulling out of some U.S. auto shows, including Chicago
Stellantis is pulling out of the Chicago Auto Show, which is barely a month away, meaning there will likely be no presence in the Windy City for Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, or Fiat.
The move is part of a cost-savings strategy “to mitigate the impact of a challenging U.S. automotive market,” according to a statement provided to Hagerty by Rick Deneau, Stellantis’ head of North America communications for brand and product.
“Stellantis is working to optimize its marketing strategy as it relates to auto shows,” the statement read. “To be as efficient as possible in our media spend, we are evaluating participation in auto shows on a case-by-case basis, while prioritizing opportunities for consumers to experience our vehicles first-hand.
“Stellantis remains committed to building products customers love, ensuring freedom of mobility for all, and becoming second to none in value creation for its employees and all other stakeholders as outlined in the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan.”
Stellantis is also pulling out of some regional auto shows, says Automotive News. That includes the Houston Auto Show, which opens January 24, and the North Texas Auto Expo in Dallas, which opens February 22.
It seems likely that, for the immediate future, participation in regional auto shows will be determined by local dealers: for instance, Stellantis brands will be represented at the Toronto Auto Show, which opens February 16, because local dealers are funding the expense.
Stellantis’ decision is a particular blow to the 116-year-old Chicago event, which bills itself as the nation’s largest auto show and is considered a major national show, not a regional one.
“Up until we received the unfortunate news a couple of weeks ago, we’ve approached the brands with different opportunities to make their participation possible,” Mark Bilek, the show’s senior director of product management, told Automotive News. “In fact, we will always have space for them even if they decide to participate at the eleventh hour.” Among those brands confirmed for the Chicago Auto Show: Acura, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Subaru, Toyota, and Volkswagen, per the show’s website.
Stellantis, in its various corporate guises, has been a staple of the U.S. auto show scene for decades. Manufacturer participation has been declining at auto shows since the 2008 recession, as companies search for ways to cut costs.
“An Italian friend used to tell me, ‘Our brand doesn’t need auto shows. Auto shows need our brand.’ And that’s a tough truth to argue with,” said Paul Brian, former director of communications for the Chicago Automobile Trade Association, which produces the Chicago Auto Show. “Apparently what we’ve witnessed over the past few years is the ‘trickle down’ applications of that mentality.”
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Shows are expensive to participate in and the reality is Stellantis (use only as directed) has little new to show. Both have a cloudy future.
This is just one of many cut.
With the forced EV regulations adding such high cost and then the added cost of the new contracts more cuts will be on the way.
I’ve noticed a lot less participation from manufacturers at the New York Auto show over the last couple of years. I hope this is not the beginning of a trend.