Volvo, too, skips Tokyo show

Volvo has joined General Motors, Chrysler and Ford in announcing it not participate in this year's Tokyo Motor Show.

"We have evaluated our participation at motor shows for 2009 to see how we can make the most out of our resources, and this year we decided not to participate at Tokyo," Volvo spokeswoman Maria Bohlin told Automotive News.

Volvo is the last remaining member of Ford's PAG Premier Automotive Group. Ford, along with Detroit rivals Chrysler and General Motors, announced last week that it would not be present at the biennial show scheduled for October 23 to November 8. 

This year's Tokyo show appears to be in jeopardy following reports that more manufacturers could pull out. Show organiser Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association is expected to make an announcement in February on whether it will postpone the show.

Should this happen, the next Tokyo Motor Show will be staged in 2011.

The theme for this year's show is "fun driving for us, eco driving for earth."