Nissan to skip 2010 Detroit Auto Show as well

The Detroit auto show — which has been fighting to retain its standing as the world’s premier auto show — has had two major setbacks this week.

Days after Detroit City Council rejected a long-sought expansion plan for Cobo Center, the aging facility where the show is held, a major automaker said it would not be returning to the show in 2010.

Nissan said Friday that it is planning to skip the North American International Auto Show in Detroit for the second straight year, a decision that highlights the ongoing challenges show organizers face as automakers scrutinize their marketing budgets.

Nissan spokesman Scott Vazin said the company is continuing to cut back on the marketing dollars it spends on auto shows because of difficult industry conditions.

“It is really about product cadence for us. Based on the products we have coming, that’s where they line up in terms of those shows," said Nissan spokesman Scott Vazin.

Organizers were stunned by Nissan’s announcement last November that it would skip this year’s show. Several other niche automakers also cancelled. What’s more, show organizers had to fight in January to convince several German manufacturers to return to Detroit in 2010.