The Detroit Big Three, in a further move to get operating costs in hand and to keep their federal overseers happy, have opted not to participate in the Tokyo auto show this year.

A spokeswoman for Ford Motor Co., Jennifer Flake, said, "At this time, participating in the show just isn't a strategic priority. Given everything else we have to balance in that region and in that market, that's not where we've chosen to prioritize our time and our resources."

Rick Brown, General Motors Asia Pacific president said that exhibiting in the Tokyo event in 2007 cost the company $2 million. Speaking to Automotive News, Brown said, "We won't be participating. If you really look at the business conditions that we are in right now, where we really have to make a bang out of every buck we spend, it's simply a business decision."

Chrysler issued a written statement saying, "Chrysler decided, under the current challenges and market situation the company faces, to pull out of TMS in 2009 in order to secure limited resources invested efficiently on activities necessary to sustain our business."

The 41st annual Tokyo auto show is scheduled for Oct. 23 through Nov. 8, but the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association is now debating whether or not to cancel the event.