Nissan North America, bowing to pressure from dealers, reversed a decision announced Monday and said it will participate in February's Chicago auto show.
"We have found a way to maintain a presence at the Chicago show through our dealers, while still demonstrating the fiscal responsibility required by these challenging times," Nissan said in a statement late Wednesday.
Nissan is sticking with its plan to pull out of Detroit's North American International Auto Show in January. It is the biggest of six automakers to withdraw from Detroit as marketers curb spending in response to U.S. vehicle sales falling to 25-year lows.
Nissan spokesman Alan Buddendeck had explained the initial decision to skip Detroit and Chicago by saying Nissan had reached its intended audience during this month's Los Angeles auto show. At that event,Nissan unveiled the Nissan 370Z roadster and a new model called the Cube.
"Given the extraordinary economic and industry climate, all well-managed companies have a fiduciary responsibility to review strategies and tactics for going to market," Nisssan said in yesterday's statement.
"As everyone knows, the automotive industry is facing severe and prolonged headwinds in North America and around the world. It's a climate that demands decisions that are often difficult and even controversial."
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The Chicago auto show draws about 1 million visitors a year.
In addition to Nissan and its Infiniti brand, Porsche, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce and Ferrari have decided to skip the Detroit venue.
