CLEVELAND — One of Detroit's "Big Three" automakers says it will no longer participate in Northeast Ohio's biggest event for new car lovers, at least for the time being.
Stellantis has confirmed to 3News it has pulled out of the 2024 Cleveland Auto Show. In a statement that lacked concrete specifics, the company cited the current business market as well as changes to its strategies as reasons for the decision:
"With a focus on preserving business fundamentals to mitigate the impact of a challenging U.S. automotive market, Stellantis is working to optimize its marketing strategy as it relates to auto shows.
"To be as efficient as possible in our media spend, we are evaluating participation in auto shows on a case-by-case basis, while prioritizing opportunities for consumers to experience our vehicles first-hand.
"Stellantis remains committed to building products customers love, ensuring freedom of mobility for all, and becoming second to none in value creation for its employees and all other stakeholders as outlined in the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan."
However, when reached by WKYC for comment, the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers' Association told us they are still "in conversation with our Stellantis dealers on their participation in the show," adding that they are "confident that the brands will be represented."
Formed just under three years ago in 2021, Stellantis' North American operations are highlighted by the Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep brands, with Chrysler being an independent company for more than eight decades prior to its purchase by Daimler-Benz in 1998. It briefly regained its autonomy before the collapse of the U.S. auto industry during the Great Recession, when it became part of the Italian-American cooperation Fiat Chrysler in 2014. That organization later merged with France's PSA group to form the Netherlands-headquartered Stellantis.
Stellantis made headlines in Northern Ohio throughout 2023, first when employees at its plants in Toledo and Streetsboro walked off the job as part of a staggered United Auto Workers strike against the entire Big Three. Though the strike ended following an agreement between the parties, Stellantis later announced plans to lay off more than 1,000 people at the Toledo facility and eliminate an entire shift.
The Cleveland Auto Show, a staple of the region since 1903, is scheduled to take place between Feb. 23 and March 3 at the I-X Center.
Previous Auto Show coverage: