Automakers have been bailing out of various auto shows for the past few years. Case in point, a number of German automakers pulling out of the Detroit show for 2019. Volkswagen is the latest one to announce that it will not be showing up to a major auto show.

Reuters reports that the German automaker will be skipping this year's Paris Motor Show. 

“The Volkswagen brand is continually reviewing its participation in international motor shows,” the company said in a statement. Instead, Volkswagen could host “various communications activities” in the city, including test drives.

Volkswagen joins other automakers including Ford, Mazda, Nissan, Opel, and Volvo that are skipping Paris.

Part of Volkswagen's decision comes down to cost-cutting due to the fallout of the diesel emission scandal. But the move is part of a larger trend of Automakers being more considerate of how they spend their marketing budgets. Declining numbers of attendees and competing shows such as CES in Las Vegas are the key reasons for this.

Volkswagen's other divisions such as Audi, Seat, and Skoda will be appearing in Paris according to a spokesman for Volkswagen's French operations.

Source: Reuters

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This makes sense, I bet if you look at the sales rate you can pretty much see who has the strength in numbers to justify paying for an auto show and who does not. Luxury auto lines from Germany are probably not that strong in Detroit compared to other brands. Same in France, VW is clearly not as popular as Audi.

is France on the offensive to keep cutting emissions and fuel economy too much?  Maybe this is multi manufacturer punitive response.