Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automotive News Europe
  • Automotive News China
  • Automobilwoche
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • login
  • HOME
  • News
    • News by Brand
    • Auto Shows
    • Canadians Abroad
    • Photo Galleries
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • Retail
    • Dealer Best Practices
    • Government Relations
    • Trade and Tariffs
    • Technology
    • Labour
    • Aston Martin
    • BMW
      • Mini
      • Rolls Royce
    • Daimler
      • Mercedes Benz
      • Smart
    • Ferrari
    • Ford
      • Lincoln
    • General Motors
      • Buick
      • Cadillac
      • Chevrolet
      • GMC
    • Honda
      • Acura
    • Hyundai
      • Kia
    • Mazda
    • Mitsubishi
    • Nissan
      • Infiniti
    • Stellantis
      • Alfa Romeo
      • Chrysler
      • Dodge
      • Fiat Chrysler
      • Jeep
      • Fiat
      • Lancia
      • Maserati
      • Ram
    • Subaru
    • Tata
      • Jaguar
      • Land Rover
    • Tesla
    • Toyota
      • Lexus
    • Volkswagen
      • Audi
      • Bentley
      • Bugatti
      • Lamborghini
      • Porsche
    • Volvo
    • VinFast
    • Toronto Auto Show
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
  • Video
  • Podcasts
  • EVENTS & AWARDS
    • 2021 Auto News Canada All Stars
    • 2021 Canadians To Watch
    • Best Dealerships To Work For
    • Canada Congress
    • Retail Forum: Dealer Discussions
    • Leading Women Roundtables
    • Embracing Diversity Roundtable
  • Jobs & Classifieds
  • +MORE
    • IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
    • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
    • WEBINARS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • CONTACT US
    • DIGITAL EDITION
    • PUBLISHING PARTNERS
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Cars & Concepts
February 09, 2018 12:00 AM

Mercedes set to pull out of '19 Detroit auto show

Christiaan Hetzner
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    BLOOMBERG
    The Mercedes stand at the 2018 Detroit auto show in January.

    FRANKFURT -- Mercedes-Benz, a high-profile mainstay of the Detroit auto show, is poised to withdraw from the event next year, sources at the German carmaker said.

    "We have to look at whether a trade show like Detroit fits with the cadence of our launch calendar and whether there's a more effective format for our needs," said a senior Mercedes executive close to the plans. "The G class was the perfect product to debut this year, but the likelihood we will be in Detroit next January is very slim. That doesn't mean however we are ruling out a return in 2020."

    A withdrawal would mark the latest setback for the North American International Auto Show, which has watched brands such as Mazda, Volvo, Porsche, Jaguar and Land Rover pull out as automakers pay closer scrutiny to costs and weigh the best outlets for marketing dollars.

    The absence of Mercedes from Detroit's Cobo Center would have an outsized impact. The automaker has traditionally occupied signature space near a high-traffic entrance and has supplemented its show-floor press conference with off-site presentations.

    Last month, the automaker rigged out a historic theatre-turned-parking-garage in downtown Detroit to unveil the redesigned G class -– complete with a hill climb, shooting flames and celebrity Arnold Schwarzenegger joining CEO Dieter Zetsche on stage.

    Over the years, Zetsche has played up his emotional ties to the city. They date back to the early 2000s when he led the former Chrysler Group, then part of Mercedes parent Daimler.

    'Tough break'

    Chuck Ghesquiere, owner of Mercedes-Benz of Bloomfield Hills in suburban Detroit, said he was shocked to hear about the plans. “It will be a tough break for us,” said Ghesquiere, whose sons also own Mercedes dealerships in Novi and Rochester Hills, Mich. “You hate to see that loss.”

    Rod Alberts, executive director of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, which oversees the Detroit show, said: "We haven't heard that news. That's all I can say."

    Daimler

    Mercedes-Benz held a reception on the eve of the 2018 Detroit auto show that featured the world debut of the new G class. CEO Dieter Zetsche appeared with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

    With the onset of electromobility, connectivity and autonomous driving, Mercedes has experimented with new ways to reach consumers, including a Me Convention in September sponsored by Mercedes and South by Southwest.

    A source with Daimler AG cast doubt on the prospects of a Mercedes return to Detroit.

    "With the number of models we have there's always a new car waiting to be launched. That's not the reason," he said, dismissing the suggestion that next January's Detroit show might not fit Mercedes' new-product cadence. "Trade shows were designed so potential customers could easily compare prices across brands in one day, but this is no longer contemporary."

    The source added: "Once you make the decision you're out, why go back?"

    Amy Wilson contributed to this report.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Cadillac Canada expects Lyriq deliveries to start in fall
    Recommended for You
    2023-Cadillac-LYRIQ-002 6_i.jpg
    Cadillac Canada expects Lyriq deliveries to start in fall
    NEW_MODELS-MAIN_i.jpg
    Breakthrough vehicles: Automakers kept delivering despite what the universe threw at them
    ESCALADEV-MAIN_i.jpg
    2023 Cadillac Escalade-V with 682-hp V-8 priced at nearly $180,000
    Greta Cutulenco and David Linton
    Sponsored Content: Industry 4.0 brings unique challenges and opportunities to manufacturers
    Digital Edition
    May 2022 Cover
    View latest issue
    See our archive
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up today for our Weekly Newsletter, Daily Newsletter and Breaking News Alerts. We'll deliver the news you need to know straight to your inbox.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Subscribe Now

    An Automotive News Canada subscription includes 12 monthly issues – delivered in print to your doorstep, and digitally to your inbox – plus unlimited, 24/7 access to our website.

    Subscribe Now
    Connect With Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Our Mission

    The Automotive News Canada mission is to be the primary source of industry news, data and understanding for the industry's decision-makers interested in Canada.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Ave
    Detroit MI 48207

    1-877-812-1257

    Email Us

    ISSN 2475-5001 (print)
    ISSN 2475-501X (online)

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Digital Edition Archive
    • Advertise with Us
    • Reprints
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Canada
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
    • News
      • News by Brand
        • Aston Martin
        • BMW
          • Mini
          • Rolls Royce
        • Daimler
          • Mercedes Benz
          • Smart
        • Ferrari
        • Ford
          • Lincoln
        • General Motors
          • Buick
          • Cadillac
          • Chevrolet
          • GMC
        • Honda
          • Acura
        • Hyundai
          • Kia
        • Mazda
        • Mitsubishi
        • Nissan
          • Infiniti
        • Stellantis
          • Alfa Romeo
          • Chrysler
          • Dodge
          • Fiat Chrysler
          • Jeep
          • Fiat
          • Lancia
          • Maserati
          • Ram
        • Subaru
        • Tata
          • Jaguar
          • Land Rover
        • Tesla
        • Toyota
          • Lexus
        • Volkswagen
          • Audi
          • Bentley
          • Bugatti
          • Lamborghini
          • Porsche
        • Volvo
        • VinFast
      • Auto Shows
        • Toronto Auto Show
      • Canadians Abroad
      • Photo Galleries
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • Retail
      • Dealer Best Practices
      • Government Relations
      • Trade and Tariffs
      • Technology
      • Labour
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • EVENTS & AWARDS
      • 2021 Auto News Canada All Stars
      • 2021 Canadians To Watch
      • Best Dealerships To Work For
      • Canada Congress
      • Retail Forum: Dealer Discussions
      • Leading Women Roundtables
      • Embracing Diversity Roundtable
    • Jobs & Classifieds
    • +MORE
      • IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
      • NEWSLETTERS
      • SUBSCRIBE
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
      • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
      • WEBINARS
      • ADVERTISE WITH US
      • CONTACT US
      • DIGITAL EDITION
      • PUBLISHING PARTNERS