It seems the slowdown in cars sales is also hurting the car shows. Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Land Rover and Suzuki announced they will not make it to the Detroit Auto Show in January.

Ferrari decided it will have pretty much shown all it needs to after the LA Show, where it will premier the namesake 193-mph California. Rolls-Royce, Land Rover and Suzuki have similar excuses. "We are cutting back," said Paul Ferraiolo, president of Rolls-Royce North America, which puts a $407,000 price tag on its Drophead Coupe. "Motor shows are expensive."

Neither the Chicago Auto Show in February nor the New York International Auto Show in March has completed its exhibitor lists. Organizers for both shows say they are confident that few carmakers will drop out, but some changes are clear.

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