9 Brands Opt Out of Frankfurt Auto Show

Nine European, Asian and U.S. brands that represent about 20% of car sales in Europe won’t participate at next month’s Frankfurt auto show, Automotive News reports.

The show’s no-shows are Alfa Romeo, DS, Fiat, Infiniti, Jeep, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot and Volvo.

Analysts tell the newspaper the decline indicates carmakers are becoming more willing to show their wares at less expensive and more unusual venues that include other activities. One example: England’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in the U.K.

The vintage races draws fewer than 25% as many visitors as the Frankfurt show. But organizers say their event costs one-third as much and generates more reach on social media—including more than 1 million hours of downloaded video.

Some carmakers tell AN they sometimes prefer to stage their own events or participate in more targeted public activities because they can avoid the promotional “noise” of multiple competitors. And when they do present at big shows, some say they’re becoming more likely to focus on fewer models.