British Motor Show faces the axe

By Julie Sinclair

02nd February 2009

The British Motor Show could be axed next year in a bid to cut costs across the industry.

Last year’s expo, held at the ExCeL centre in London’s Docklands, was plagued by no-shows from big names such as BMW, Audi, Volkswagen and Rolls-Royce. But with makers’ minds more focused on their wallets, the industry has been forced to rethink the event altogether.

Organisers at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) say it may delay the expo by one year. “Moving the motor show to the summer of 2011 is one option,” a spokeswoman admitted. One inside source told us bosses were also concerned that the current biennial schedule would clash with the 2012 Olympics as both events are set to share the same venue.

Bumping the British Motor Show to 2011 could solve other potential clashes. A spokesman at one top firm explained: “It would have had to compete with the Moscow Motor Show if it had gone ahead next summer.”

Russia has one of the fastest-growing new car markets in the world. Our source added: “Given the choice, I know where I would spend our money.” Manufacturer proposals for the British show will be discussed by the SMMT board shortly.