Audi to skip 2019 Detroit auto show, joining BMW, Benz

And Audi makes three.

The German premium brand told Automotive News on Thursday that it will skip the 2019 North American International Auto Show, joining luxury rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz on the sidelines of the January show in Detroit.

In a statement, Audi said the brand "has had a long and successful history at NAIAS, debuting countless models that Audi customers enjoy today. For 2019, we have decided that we will not participate in NAIAS. We will continue to evaluate Auto Shows on a case by case basis relative to the timing of our product introductions and the value the show brings from a media and consumer perspective."

BMW and Mercedes previously said they would skip the 2019 Detroit show, which has been pressured in recent years by competition from the much larger CES (formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas. Because of its larger venue and bigger crowds, automakers have benefited from its prominent platform to launch new vehicles.

Troubling trend

Audi's Detroit decision is part of a troubling trend for auto shows globally as automakers cast a critical eye toward the events, where they must compete side by side for media attention for their important products.

In recent years, Mazda, Mini, Volvo, Porsche, Mitsubishi, Jaguar and Land Rover have also pulled out of the Detroit auto show, citing costs or the decision to reallocate marketing outlays.

A spokesman for the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, which organizes the Detroit auto show, said Thursday plans are well underway to revolutionize the event and provide participating companies "a global stage that delivers cost-effective opportunities to audiences" that "only Detroit" can offer.

"In meetings that have occurred around the world with participating brands, the show has been privy to some insights on significant product and industry news that has been earmarked for Detroit for the 2019 show," the spokesman said.

Detroit mainstay

Audi, part of the Volkswagen Group, has been a mainstay of the Detroit auto show, especially as the brand's U.S. sales have grown over the past decade. It chose the Detroit show in 2017 for the global debut of the Q8 crossover concept, which is due this year.

A spokesman for the Volkswagen brand said it still plans to participate in the 2019 show.

Jeri Ward, a spokeswoman for Audi of America, said the brand will participate in the 2018 Los Angeles auto show. Beyond 2018, Audi will participate in major U.S. auto shows on a case-by-case and product cycle basis.

Ward said Audi planned to inform its local dealers of the decision to pull out of the Detroit auto show later Thursday.