PARIS MOTOR SHOW: VW Hurting? Pulls Bentley AND Lamborghini From One Of The BIGGEST Auto Shows

When it comes to the year's biggest automotive events, it's hard to imagine anything bigger than the following in Europe: 1) The Geneva Motor Show, 2) The Paris Motor Show and 3) Frankfurt (IAA). In recent years, all three events have become must-see events in the automotive space. 

The sexiest concepts, the coolest technology and the most far out designs appear at the aforementioned. So, why would Volkswagen Auto Group pull its two premiere marques from the event?

It's got to be hurting. 

While we understand these niche manufactures can pitch their wares more directly to its buyers by hosting VIP-type events, it just seems a bit kooky that they'd ditch one of the biggest European events where it can achieve significant awareness. 

Other manufacturers skipping the Paris show include: Aston Martin, Ford and Volvo. 

Is this the start of a slippery slope?

Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) supercar brands Bentley and Lamborghini have dropped out of the Paris Motor Show next week as their German parent is reining in spending on auto exhibitions to cushion costs from its emissions scandal...

Bentley said on Monday it was skipping the crowded Sept. 29-30 show and would instead focus on small events to market more directly to buyers. Lamborghini said it was revising strategy regarding auto show attendance, including the choice of locations where the Italian brand wants to be...

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PUGPROUD - 9/21/2016 7:50:55 AM

+1 Boost

When a company is bleeding cash it looks for non-essential ways of cutting cost first (such as this) then it usually (and VW may have already done so)issues a mandate to every department to decrease cost by a fixed amount (5% or 10% usually at first). Cutting all departments by the same amount is easy for senior management but causes issues down the line as not all departments are as essential as others and lean efficient departments get hit hardest versus others with fat. Morale suffers during the first wave of across the board cuts but really spirals downward when the second round of cuts is announced. Having been thru a similar situation as VW on a smaller scale ($2 billion
final count) I believe VW will end up paying well over its own estimates and that the law suits and effects on the organization will linger for years. Time will tell.

TomM - 9/21/2016 6:12:06 PM

+2 Boost

While you can be tempted to compare VW with GM and its ignition switch - but a Bankruptcy in GM's case limited their liability. You could also be tempted to compare VW to Toyota and unintended acceleration - but Toyota still had its reputation for boring BUT reliable cars.

In the USA - VW does not have a good reputation - but in Europe - they actually do - and that is what is saving them there - that AND the fact that as long as Diesel fuel is radically cheaper than gasoline. It Europe - VW is known for its engineering - and I suspect a short blip but not much of one. VW is not big in China - and I doubt will ever attain the level it had when the Beetle was the big imported car here.

610looper - 9/21/2016 9:07:51 PM

+2 Boost

Mazda, Bentley and Lamborghini have joined Ford, Rolls-Royce and Volvo on the list of automakers that will skip the Paris auto show, which starts next week. The Japanese, British and Italian automakers will instead focus on smaller events that are less costly and provide less competition for attention.

According to

http://www.autonews.com/article/20160921/COPY01/309219947/mazda-bentley-lambo-join-list-of-brands-skipping-paris-show