Stellantis Snubs Retromobile 2024
Stellantis has shocked the classic car community in France by announcing that it will not be present at Retromobile 2024 with their traditional booths (Citroën, DS Automobiles, Peugeot etc.). This means the presence of French brands at Retromobile, running from February 1 – 4 at Porte de Versailles in Paris, will be vastly reduced. At this juncture there is uncertainty about what classic and vintage Citroën and Peugeot Clubs will make an appearance.
The Amicale Citroën Internationale (ACI) has decided not have its own booth at Retromobile either.
Additionally, ACI were informed that the rental fee for a conference room at Retromobile to hold their Annual General Meeting would be very costly. Fortunately Le Conservatoire Citroën has offered to host them for their AGM on Feb. 3.
At least for ACI, the Stellantis decision to be a no show at Retromobile means that ACI delegates will not have to pay Retromobile entry fees to attend the AGM, and they will have an exciting location to explore which many Delegates have not seen for years!
Update – Jan. 3, 2024: Stellantis announced that isn’t fielding any displays at any auto shows in Canada or the USA in 2024.
Stellantis released the following statement:
“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.”
Translated from marketing speak into plain English: “Sales are slow, so we’re trying to save money.”
Late last year, Stellantis canceled plans to attend the Los Angeles Auto Show as well as the CES 2024 (formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show). Stellantis blamed the financial costs tied to the prolonged UAW strike for the cost-cutting. Since then, Stellantis has been buying out salaried workers at its Michigan Headquarters and exploring the possibility of even selling the main headquarters building.
The 2024 Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place is about five weeks away, and the Stellantis’ cancellation there means absorbing cancellation fees and all of the fixed costs that were contracted but the company will save on the manpower for the show and the huge Camp Jeep display.
Stellantis said that it is open to having its dealers hosting exhibits at shows, and that’s what’s going to happen at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto in February. The popular Camp Jeep test track will be back (some 26,000 show goers went for a ride on it at last year’s show) but for this edition, it will be funded by Toronto-area dealers.