This is the first time that two Chinese car manufacturers will be provided a main floor display space at the Cobo Center for the auto show in Detroit next year. BYD Auto Co. and Brilliance Jinbei Automotive Co. will take up about 11,000 square feet of display space on the most important floor. The space was set aside for Mitsubishi Motors Corp. but became obtainable after that party signed out of the auto show. Show co-chairman Joe Serra explains: “They’ve been waiting, all the exhibitors in Michigan Hall, so it’s a wonderful opportunity for them”.
Both Chinese companies, BYD and Brilliance, “have been notified and they’re thrilled.” Chinese carmakers have had a showing in Detroit for years but were always restricted to the Michigan Hall, which is the lower level or the lobby of the Cobo Center. It must be noted that BYD and Brilliance do not vend vehicles in the US. Not counting Mitsubishi, five other carmakers have also signed out of the car show. Poor economic environment was the reason why Nissan North America opted to drop out of next year’s Detroit and Chicago auto shows.
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