Nissan pulls out of Chicago Auto Show

By Kathy Bergen | Tribune reporter

With the auto industry reeling, Nissan North America Inc. is pulling out of the 2009 Chicago Auto Show, the first major automaker to exit the high-profile public show that opens in February at McCormick Place.

Having trumpeted its new products at the Los Angeles Auto Show this month, the company decided to skip both the Detroit auto show in January and the Chicago show as a way to control spending during tough times, said Alan Buddendeck, a company spokesman.

"In extraordinary market conditions, every company takes a fresh look at its marketing strategy and tactics," he said.

The withdrawal is a major blow for the Chicago Auto Show, which typically draws an estimated 1 million car aficionados each year.

The Chicago Automobile Trade Association, producer of the show, plans to fight the decision, said Jerry Cizek, president of the Oakbrook Terrace-based group.

"We're not done with this," Cizek said. "We're going to keep lobbying to see if they will reconsider because Chicago is too important for Nissan North America . . . not to be in the show."

He said he will participate in a conference call with Nissan executives Tuesday.

No other car manufacturers have pulled out, he said, though some have reduced the size of their exhibits.

Overall, he expects the exhibition area to shrink by 10 percent to 15 percent this year.

Carmakers cut back on their events at the Los Angeles show, and four other car companies -- Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Land Rover and Suzuki Motor Corp. -- are withdrawing from the Detroit show, the Los Angeles Times has reported.

kbergen@tribune.com

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi081124-autoshownissan,0,1886960.story