Drop outs: Volvo pulls out of the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show

Joining General Motors, Chrysler and Ford, Volvo is the latest automaker (a division of Ford) to drop out of the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show in October.

“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,” said Volvo spokeswoman Maria Bohlin in an e-mail to Automotive News.

With the number of automakers pulling out of the show as global auto sales have slowed down, Tokyo Motor Show organizers are debating whether or not the show will take place later this year.

The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association will decide by next month whether to postpone the show or cancel it altogether. If canceled, the Tokyo Motor Show will not return until 2011.