Stellantis, the global automaker that owns popular North American brands, including Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, and Fiat, has announced that it is canceling appearances at three significant shows over the next several months due to the ongoing UAW strike. The strike, which began on September 4, targeted Stellantis, General Motors, and Ford — causing significant disruptions in production and challenging inventory levels as the automakers lose millions during the ongoing negotiations.

Of the Big Three, only Stellantis has announced that it is actively canceling participation in upcoming events, including the Los Angeles Auto Show (LA Auto Show), the annual show for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), and the massive annual trade show organized by the Consumer Technology Association (CES). The LA Auto Show is in Los Angeles, opening on November 17. Las Vegas hosts the annual SEMA show, with its doors opening on October 31. The largest of the three events, CES, also takes place in Las Vegas, with this year’s show opening on January 9.

Automakers such as Stellantis use the LA Auto Show, SEMA, and CES to showcase and display current products and to generate excitement from the attending public. They also use the well-publicized events to announce new products — reports say that Fiat was preparing to unveil a new electric 500e model at the LA Auto Show. Most industry insiders expected Ram to bring a performance-tuned Ram 2500 pickup and a retro-mod electric variant of the Dodge Charger to SEMA. There has been no word on how the company will proceed if absent at these shows.

The loss of Stellantis at the LA Auto Show is significant, especially as auto shows lose their significance in the digital age — attendance at all national shows has been challenged as consumers rely less on traditional news outlets and physical shows as they turn to social media for information about new automotive products. In recent years, Stellantis has set up enormous test tracks inside the show halls to allow visitors to test its products. There is no word about how the LA Auto Show will cover this year’s void.

Each show costs automakers millions of dollars in transportation, staffing, and displays — plus untold resources in planning. Stellantis is expected to use the millions it saves and its freed-up staff to focus on reorganization during the next several months.

As mentioned, Ford and General Motors are still scheduled to attend all three events. Still, industry insiders expect both to follow the Stellantis lead and pull out of the shows — expect those announcements to follow in the upcoming weeks.