London: Volkswagen supercar brands Bentley and Lamborghini have dropped out of the Paris Motor Show next week as their German parent is reining in spending on auto exhibitions to cushion costs from its emissions scandal.
One year after admitting it used illegal software to rig diesel emissions tests, Volkswagen is cutting costs across the group to fund a strategic shift in the business and to cover billions of euros in fines and payments linked to its scandal. Bentley said on Monday it was skipping the crowded Sept. 29-30 show and would instead focus on small events to market more directly to buyers.
Lamborghini said it was revising strategy regarding auto show attendance, including the choice of locations where the Italian brand wants to be.
Car-shows cost millions of euros as brands strive to outshine one another. VW will dispense with a glitzy gala in Paris and instead present stationary cars with a focus of speeches on design, a spokesman said.
