Ford, Volvo, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce to not participate at Paris Motor Show - Report

VW to have small presence, as manufacturers look at blogs and social media as a more effective medium.

Autonews is reporting that Ford, Volvo, Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin will skip the Paris Motor Show which opens its doors for the media on 29 September.

The once-unmissable expo, it is reported, is giving in to the changes of car buyers and enthusiasts. Companies feel that shelling out millions for crowded exhibition centers have lost their charm in the age of social media and blogs, and though footfalls are increasing every year, it does not translate into sales.

"There used to be the feeling that you had to be at every motor show," Andy Palmer, CEO of Aston Martin said, adding "but there are sometimes better ways of doing it than just always spending money on show after show after show."

Volvo, though having unveiled cars like the V90 Cross Country this week and shown 2 concepts privately very recently, is not taking the flight to Paris as it will market more directly to its prospective customer.

It is also reported that BMW's top brass will be in a board meeting during the show days to shape its electric car strategy while VW's presence at the venue will be smaller.

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Instead of spending 11.2 million dollars like Audi did to erect its pavilion at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Ford will organize a day-long test drive program for customers, while Rolls Royce invites bloggers and social media celebrities to cocktail parties and fashion viewings.

[Source - AutoNews.com]