Follow us today...
Stellantis has confirmed that it is pulling out of the huge Chicago Auto Show, although potential buyers may still be able to see the latest 2024 Ram 1500s and 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe there. Stellantis released a statement about the cancellation to Hagerty Automotive. Longtime Chrysler, now Stellantis, public relations executive Rick Deneau told Hagerty, “Stellantis is working to optimize its marketing strategy as it relates to auto shows.”
“To be as efficient as possible in our media spend, we are evaluating participation in auto shows on a case-by-case basis, while prioritizing opportunities for consumers to experience our vehicles first-hand.
“Stellantis remains committed to building products customers love, ensuring freedom of mobility for all, and becoming second to none in value creation for its employees and all other stakeholders as outlined in the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan.”
Auto Show Withdrawal is Disappointing but Not Surprising
Late last year, Stellantis canceled plans to attend the Los Angeles Auto Show as well as the CES 2024 (Formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show). Stellantis blamed the financial costs tied to the prolonged UAW strike for the cost-cutting. Since then, Stellantis has been buying out salaried workers at its Michigan Headquarters and exploring the possibility of even selling the main headquarters building. The drastic cost-cutting is real and the decision to drop out of most North American Auto Shows is a direct result. Stellantis will still be stuck with cancellation fees and all of the fixed costs that were contracted but the company will save on the manpower for the show and the huge Camp Jeep display.
Dealers to the Rescue?
The Chicago Auto Show bills itself as the largest Auto Show. It takes place at McCormick Place which has over two million square feet of space. It is often called the truck show because McCormick Place has enough space that brands can display all of their trucks, including dump trucks and heavy-duty trucks.
Even though some automakers are giving up on the traditional auto shows, the shows are still great for consumers. Potential buyers can explore and compare offerings from different companies without the pressure of going to a dealer’s lot. The would-be buyers can do side-by-side comparisons, without being out in the cold, Illinois weather.
That is exactly why we may see dealers step up and provide vehicles to the Chicago Auto Show. It is a trend that we saw during the pandemic. Many automakers chose not to participate in the smaller regional shows in some cities, like here in Denver. Denver dealers stepped in to put vehicles on display and give potential buyers an opportunity to see the latest products. We may see the Chicago Jeep, Ram, Dodge and Chrysler dealers unify to finance displays of 2024 vehicles. They will see financial returns through sales. They have about a month to figure out a way to participate. The public show dates are Feb. 10-19, 2024.
Chicago One of Four Legacy Shows
The Chicago Auto Show is one of the four huge auto shows in the nation. Detroit used to be the manufacturer’s show, where the auto companies unveiled their latest designs to the world. The Detroit or North American International Auto Show has lost a lot of its luster in the last few years. The Chicago Auto Show is the big consumer show. The Los Angeles Auto Show was the celebrity show that highlighted green and eco-friendly vehicles. The New York Auto Show is the Wall Street Show, where the automakers try to prove to the financial analysts that they are making sound business decisions. Stellantis hasn’t said if it will still attend the New York Show, although the Camp Jeep display is scheduled to be there.
Ram Photo
Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.
Follow Mary Conway at @MaryConwayMedia and send her car news tips for future stories.
Follow us today...
