2009 Nissan Cube

Even Detroit’s auto show can’t catch a break

Things are tough in Detroit – no question about it. Just ask the organizers of the North American International Auto Show. Porsche, a brand that wasn’t there last year, made the decision to skip the show again this year. Land Rover, Rolls-Royce and Ferrari felt the Detroit market was too small for their brands and backed out and both Mitsubishi and Suzuki took a pass as well. Then just last week, Nissan (along with premium brand Infiniti) announced that it was pulling the plug on both Detroit and Chicago.

At least with Nissan, the NAIAS had the consolation of knowing that it was not alone. But just as quickly, it now appears that Nissan will return to the Windy City.

2009 Nissan 370Z

Back in the game

Nissan Vice President of Corporate Communications, Alan Buddendeck, explained Nissan’s original position by stating that the company had already reached its intended audience at the unveiling of the 370Z roadster and the new Cube at the L.A. Auto Show in November.

So what caused the company to change its mind? According to Buddendeck:” Given the extraordinary economic and industry climate, all well-managed companies have a fiduciary responsibility to review strategies and tactics for going to market. As everyone knows, the automotive industry is facing severe and prolonged headwinds in North America and around the world. It’s a climate that demands decisions that are often difficult and even controversial.”

“At the national level, Nissan North America decided to withdraw from both the Chicago and Detroit shows. After a careful review of this decision with our North Central Region management and our Chicago dealers, we have found a way to maintain a presence at the Chicago show through our dealers, while still demonstrating the fiscal responsibility required by these challenging times. The decision outlined for Chicago does not affect our decision to withdraw from the 2009 North American International Auto Show.”

Chicago Auto Show Co-Chairman John Phelan put it this way, “To be sure, talking about our current economic conditions isn’t going to turn our industry around. But showing and talking about great new products, technology and breaking automotive news will help turn it around—and we want to help.”

BYD F3R

Chinese go upstairs and join the party

Meanwhile, back in Motown, all that extra floor space means it has to be filled by someone. So after two years spent in the basement as the red-headed stepchild, the Chinese automakers (so far, BYD and Brilliant) finally get their chance to join in the big dance on the main floor. Who knows, if anyone else drops out, even the boys from DUB magazine may get their big break. This could get interesting.

How about a DUB Rolls-Royce?

BYD F3R

They’re Back

As in the case of “Cinderella”, it seems that the stepchildren that might prove to be an embarrassment are relegated to the nether regions. In Cinderella’s case, it was the attic. Since Cobo Hall’s attic is the roof-top parking lot reserved for patrons, most of the automotive fringe elements at the auto show find themselves in the basement. It is here that you will find cars with everything from 25” Dubs to solar panels, as well as every form of locomotion known to man – from rubber bands to electricity.

The basement, it turns out, is also home to the representatives of China’s nascent automobile industry. Beginning in 2007 with a concourse press conference jammed with hundreds of curious reporters, Changfeng Motors was joined in 2008 by BYD, Geely and Li Shi Guang Meng.

For 2008, BYD will return, while Brilliance Auto, best known for assembling BMW 3 and 5 series automobiles for the German automaker for sale in China will make its North American debut.

BYD F6 Hybrid-Electric

Build Your Dreams

BYD (Build Your Dreams) was established in 1995 as a battery maker and, in fact, claims a 30% share of the world’s cell phone battery market. No less a luminary than Warren Buffet, in the form of MidAmerican Energy Holdings, owns a 10% stake in the company – primarily for its green technology and the fact that BYD is in the process of rolling out its first production electric-hybrid car for sale in China in 2009 with plans for Europe and Israel by 2010.

Brilliance Splendor

Brilliance

Although Brilliance has never exhibited in North America, it has appeared at auto shows in China as well as Europe, where it currently sells vehicles. In addition to the aforementioned BMW’s, a subsidiary of the company also builds Toyota models under license for the Chinese market.

The Rest

There’s no word yet on whether or not Geely or Li Shi Guang Meng will be making encore appearances in Detroit. Too bad, since the Li Shi Guang Meng Amphibious Tang Hua Detroit Fish certainly took honors in 2008 for the most interesting name/style combination at the show.

Amphibious Tang Hua Detroit Fish