69 Is Unlucky For Turin Auto Show

TURIN, Italy AP reported that the organizers canceled the 69th Turin International Auto Show on Monday, saying almost all major carmakers operating in Italy were not participating this year due to tough market conditions.

The 2002 show titled ``AuTOnext`` had been scheduled to run from April 25 until May 5, and aimed to show off new technology and concept cars as well as commercial models.

However, the organizer, Promotor International SpA, said that given the weak turnout, the show could not go on. The Bologna-based organizers blamed ``the almost-total refusal of automobile manufacturers operating in our country to participate in this historical international event.``

``The main stated cause of the automakers for the refusal is the difficult market situation,`` the organizers said in a statement.

European automakers are facing tough times due to the economic slowdown and overcapacity. General Motors, Ford, Fiat and some Japanese manufacturers are already losing money in Europe, and analysts say this could worsen.

Fiat, the chief Italian automaker, said that it regretted the cancellation, and insisted that it had planned to attend the show, which is based in its home city.

Over the years, many legendary models have been unveiled in the show, among them the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint in 1954 and the Ferrari Testarossa in 1984. The last Turin exhibition was in June 2000, and attracted 34 automakers and 500,000 visitors, organizers say.