As people again braved the snow and recession to reach the Detroit motor show on Tuesday, news from the other side of the world suggested October’s Tokyo show might be cancelled.

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The Japan Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (JAMA) is debating whether to call off the 2009 show as carmakers pull out, according to a trade paper report.


Toshihiro Iwatake, the trade group’s executive director, said some non-Japanese companies do not plan to participate this year because of the recession.


Some JAMA members want to cancel the event to avoid a smaller show that might reflect poorly on them. Iwatake said the group would decide by early next month.


This year’s show, if held, would be the 41st; it takes place every two years. Press previews in Tokyo are scheduled for 21 and 22 October and the show would be open to the public from 23 October to 8 November.

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Detroit also faced similar problems this year in worsening economic conditions. Ferrari, Land Rover, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Rolls Royce and Suzuki opted not to participate in the US show this year while automakers’ presentations – and attendant media hospitality – were low key.


Detroit Show organisers said, though it had been tougher than usual to pull together, they were content. In some cases, dealers clubbed together to take stand space to represent non-attending car makers. One organiser told headlineauto he was pleased with results.


“I think the low key presentations work – it means the car is the star and that’s the way it should be.”


He added organisers may in future limit stand size to give the show a more ‘European’ feel.