Hoping to check out the latest exotic machinery that Lamborghini has to offer? Don’t bother going to the Paris Auto Show this year, because the Raging Bull is sitting this one out.
Following its parent company (and sister brand) Volkswagen, Car reports that Lamborghini will be skipping the Parisian expo, which alternates year to year with the Frankfurt show as one of Europe’s preeminent automotive showcases.
And not for the first time, either. Lamborghini skipped the same show the last time it was held in 2016. It last participated in the show in 2014, when it unveiled the Asterion plug-in hybrid supercar concept. That was when Stephan Winkelmann was still in charge, before he was replaced by Stefano Domenicali.
Along with VW and Lambo, rival automakers Ford, Mazda, Opel, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Infiniti are also expected be absent from this year’s festivities. But the decision does not appear to have trickled down to other VW group brands, with Audi, Porsche, Seat, and Skoda all expected to be in attendance. (No word yet on Bentley and Bugatti, though. Or on the usual VW group night that typically precedes the show with representation from each of the brands under the German giant’s broad umbrella.)
The growing list of automakers skipping one of the world’s largest auto expos reflects a general shift away from car shows around the world as their importance wanes in an increasingly digital age. Many automakers are choosing to unveil their new metal at their own private events instead of at independently organized auto shows. Of course, none of this precludes automakers from returning to these industry showcases if their relevance increases.