Foreign Makers' Interest in Tokyo Motor Show Waning

Tokyo, June 26 (Jiji Press)--Interest in the Tokyo Motor Show among foreign automakers is waning apparently due to the high cost of participating in Japan's largest auto show. German makers Audi AG and BMW AG will skip this year's show, to be held in the autumn, for the first time in a decade. Customers can find information online, Audi said. Swedish maker Volvo Cars will also skip the show. Volvo Cars said it has been cutting back on its auto show presence. German maker Porsche AG plans to hold its own event instead of attending the show. German maker Volkswagen AG said it is considering options. German rival Mercedes-Benz plans to attend the event to showcase its new technologies. In fiscal 2018, which ended in March, the proportion of foreign vehicles sold in Japan hit a record high of 9.2 pct, excluding minivehicles with engine displacement of up to 660 cc. But foreign makers have been reviewing their Japan strategies since China became the world's biggest car market. END