The US Big Three carmakers will not take part in this year’s Tokyo Motor Show in November because they believe that the “closed” Japanese market is holding back sales of their cars, according to media reports.
Kyodo News reported that General Motors, Ford and Chrysler do not plan to take part in the biennial event at which they used to be regular exhibitors. However, this is not the first time – in fact this will be the third Tokyo Show in a row since the economic crash.
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According to the show organisers, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, no applications had been received from the three carmakers by the deadline at the end of February. A Ford source told Kyodo that budget limitations were the reason why it will not participate in the show.
Major European automakers are planning to exhibit at a time when imports are achieving record sales in Japan where they now account for 7.6% of new car sales – excluding minivehicles – and those made abroad by Japanese manufacturers.
Of the imports, European carmakers – notably the Germans – top the list.
