I think when it was at the New York Coliseum it was a "World's Fair" for cars. Times have changed. I would venture to say that back then the audience of the show was different from a buyer perspective. Also there was no internet and access to easy information like there is today. The Countach needed to be there way back when as the company was newer without a big following and there was an oil crisis. Yes, it would be nice (who wouldn't want to see exotic cars at a pay show?) if the exotic cars showed up but I don't blame them for not doing so.
Yes these 2 parent companies have deep pockets but these subsidiaries have budgets to work with and are driven by profit. I presume they don't see the value in spending the money to get little or nothing back on their advertising investment. To be clear they can afford it.... If I recall correctly Ferrari used to have advertisements in automobile magazines. Haven't seen those in years, likely for the same reason they do not "need" to be at a car show.
