In latest occasions, the Tokyo present has been fishing for a brand new identification as Japan’s shrinking home auto market loses its luster as focus for abroad automakers.
“I think the participation of overseas automakers has declined in proportion to the declining appeal of Japan’s market itself,” Nagata stated. “We are concerned about how they view the event.”
In June of final 12 months, JAMA determined to revive the present in 2023 with the theme “Green and Digital” — to showcase the Japanese auto trade’s push to scale back carbon dioxide emissions.
But it switched to the “mobility” theme as a extra all-encompassing banner.
Under Toyoda’s management, the present was pulled again from the brink, after years of sliding attendance and growing irrelevance on the worldwide stage. The variety of worldwide exhibitors dwindled as European and U.S. automakers turned their consideration towards China.
At the present’s final gathering in 2019, Toyoda set a purpose of attracting 1 million guests, and the 12-day present completed with greater than 1.3 million attendees. That was a 70 % surge over the 771,200 who visited in 2017, although effectively under the document of two.02 million in 1991.
But worldwide participation reached a nadir. The solely main world manufacturers collaborating had been Mercedes-Benz, Smart, Renault and Alpine. And participation by Renault and Alpine could have been extra a present of solidarity with their Japanese alliance companions, Nissan and Mitsubishi, than a real curiosity within the native market, the place each manufacturers are minor gamers, even amongst imports.
“As Tokyo can draw 1 million visitors, we hope global automakers will recognize that showcasing at the Japan Mobility Show can boost their brand image,” Nagata stated. “Aside from being a business and commercial venue, Japan will try to prove itself as a leading country in mobility.”
Source: www.autonews.com