Stellantis said Wednesday it is pulling out of next month's Chicago Auto Show as it reevaluates its spending amid a "challenging U.S. automotive market."
Stellantis has been a regular participant in U.S. auto shows across the country, but spokesman Rick Deneau told the Detroit Free Press it is assessing its presence on a "case-by-case basis." Deneau would not address intentions for next year's auto show in Detroit.
"Given the Detroit show is more than a year away, we have made no decisions regarding that show," Deneau said.
In a statement Deneau sent, Stellantis said, "With a focus on preserving business fundamentals to mitigate the impact of a challenging U.S. automotive market, 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."
General Motors spokesman Sabin Blake said GM does not have any plans to reconsider its presence at auto shows and said, "We look forward to being in Chicago at the Chicago Auto Show with Chevrolet as originally planned."
According to a report in Automotive News Canada, Stellantis is leaving it up to its dealers in Canada to decide to whether to participate in shows there.
“At this time, our Toronto-area dealers have agreed to fund all display and activation costs pertaining to the Toronto auto show,” the automaker told AN Canada.
Deneau did not respond to a request for comment on the AN Canada report.
In October, the Free Press reported that Stellantis, which makes Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Fiat vehicles, pulled out of the CES, formerly called the Consumer Electronics Show, that is held in Las Vegas this month. It attributed its decision to the costs of the United Auto Workers union strike against Stellantis, Ford and GM facilities that ended up running 46 days last fall.
In the statement, Stellantis said it "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."
Contact Jamie L. LaReau: jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. Read more on General Motors and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Stellantis is reconsidering participation in auto shows to save costs