Last month, when Isuzu spokesman Chip Letzgus announced that the company wouldn't be showing up to the North American International Auto
Show in Detroit this January, the most prestigious and most prominent show on the U.S. calendar, it sent shock waves through the auto sector, as well as to the brand's many frustrated dealers, causing many to question if Isuzu was indeed pulling out of the U.S. altogether.
Letzgus came out strongly against any such concerns, however, saying that Isuzu was committed to the U.S. market.
"Isuzu has said repeatedly that we have no intention of pulling out of the U.S. market," Letzgus stated. "There's nothing to be read into that."
So why pull out of the show? According to Letzgus, Isuzu doesn't do well in
Detroit, only having three dealerships in the area. The automaker is also upset with the show staff for moving its stand from the main level to the basement a few years back, where it sees much fewer visitors.
"The Detroit show is a big show as far as the press is concerned, but Detroit is not a big market for us," he commented.
Just to put how big the Detroit show is for the world's automotive press, up to 7,000 members of the media attended last year's Detroit auto show, while 773,422 people visited Cobo Hall over nine days. If you want to mark your calendar, the next show is scheduled for January 8 through 22, the first few days of which are media only.
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| Despite dropping a variety of models due to slow sales, such as the Axiom (shown), and now forfeiting the Detroit auto show, Isuzu spokesman Chip Letzgus stated, "Isuzu has said repeatedly that we have no intention of pulling out of the U.S. market." |
Letzgus came out strongly against any such concerns, however, saying that Isuzu was committed to the U.S. market.
"Isuzu has said repeatedly that we have no intention of pulling out of the U.S. market," Letzgus stated. "There's nothing to be read into that."
So why pull out of the show? According to Letzgus, Isuzu doesn't do well in
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| According to Letzgus, Isuzu doesn't do well in Detroit, only having three dealerships in the area. (Photo: Isuzu) |
"The Detroit show is a big show as far as the press is concerned, but Detroit is not a big market for us," he commented.
Just to put how big the Detroit show is for the world's automotive press, up to 7,000 members of the media attended last year's Detroit auto show, while 773,422 people visited Cobo Hall over nine days. If you want to mark your calendar, the next show is scheduled for January 8 through 22, the first few days of which are media only.