'It's a tough market for everyone right now,' Tim Peters, assistant director of auto shows for GM, said today during a preview of the company's exhibit area inside Cobo Center. 'But the average consumer will not notice a difference. This is our No. 1 show and we still have to represent ourselves as a viable manufacturer.' As part of a company-wide shakedown to preserve cash, GM is dramatically reducing the cost of exhibiting at the show. Its entire 121,000 square-foot exhibit will be constructed in 70 days, instead of 100 days, saving on labor costs. Huge chunks of the display will be assembled offsite and trucked to Cobo Center for final installation. The amount of materials discarded and scrapped after the show has been reduced significantly. And more materials will be used for other auto shows. Improved planning and logistics have eliminated costly overtime so far and construction remains on schedule, Peters said. With its U.S. sales dropping 22 percent this year, GM has been forced to curtail spending across the board. Months ago, the ax fell on GM Style, an annual auto show event started several years ago that mixed cars, fashion and musical performances on the eve of press previews. GM participates in about 65 U.S. auto shows and has no plans to scale back or withdraw from any of them, unlike some manufacturers, Peters said. Nissan Motor Corp. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp., citing costs, are among automakers that have withdrawn from the North American International Auto Show this year. 'We have an obligation to our customers and dealers across the country,' said Peters. 'And auto shows give us an ideal opportunity to communicate with 30 million consumers in a non-confrontational setting.' GM will introduce all-new versions of the Chevrolet Equinox, a crossover, the Buick LaCrosse sedan and the Cadillac SRX crossover at the show, and promote a wide array of alternative-fuel vehicles, as well. There will be plenty of flashy LED displays and pumping music, but consumers will see major changes in how GM displays some 95 vehicles on the floor-- underscoring the dramatic shift in consumer preferences and buying habits in the wake of volatile fuel prices and weak car demand. Small cars such as the Chevrolet Cruze and Orlando, and electric vehicles such as the Chevrolet Volt, will be front and center. Chevrolet and Cadillac will be featured prominently with special displays. Hummer, which GM is hoping to sell, will have a scaled down display. GMC, another light truck specialist, will be tucked in the back of the huge display area. And GM will still promote performance with a special display reserved for the forthcoming Camaro coupe. But big pickups and SUVs with V-8 Vortec engines under the hood will be displayed against the back wall. The Chevrolet TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy, mid-size SUVs that were once among GM's best-selling vehicles, have vanished. 'We have a diverse portfolio of vehicles for every consumer need and intend to promote it,' said Peters. 'At the same time, we recognize the change underway in the marketplace.' Even with an industry-wide sales slump, and Michigan's depressed economy, GM expects public attendance at the 2009 show to remain strong. Attendance at the 2008 show dropped slightly to 702,814 from 705,226 in 2007. The show set an attendance record of 800,000 in 2003. 'The public's curiosity is still high, and this is among the most interesting car shows in North America,' said Peters. 'Sales may be down, but we know a lot of consumers are still going to be in the market for a new car or truck in the next 6 months.' David Phillips is a contributor to Autos Insider. You can reach him at dphillipsdteom.