British Motor Show Cancelled

I'm sure you're well aware of the economic situation, and the numerous cutbacks from the automotive manufacturers at various international automobile shows. Following this dire outlook, news comes from organizer IMIE and SMMT about the cancellation.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), this is the show's first cancellation since 1939. Must be pretty bad! The decision was made after talks with automakers and exhibitors at the show. The British International Motor Show is conducted in a bi-annual fashion; it is put on every other year.

As Britian's largest consumer show, it was a hard cut to make. The show's owners SMMT just couldn't get concrete commitments from automakers to exhibit at the show. With the Sydney Motor Show already cut and possibility of the Tokyo Motor Show as well, cancellations are happening everywhere.

While some have speculated the show could be gone for good, a report by Autocar magazine has Rob Mackenzie, managing director for the International Motor Industry Events (IMIE) stating:  "When the show returns is for the event's rights holders, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, to decide, but it has clearly stated that it is its intention that it

will run again."

Of course, that could be just a PR front but at least it's something for London's (and all of Britain's) car fans to hope for. He said they hope to take a look on whether they can run a 2011 show at the end of this year or early next, depending on conditions at the time.

A 2012 show could have a potential conflict with the Olympics, which are being held 2 months later at the ExCel Center as well, but again the official position is that wouldn't be a problem.

So we'll see, hopefully the show will be able to bounce back coinciding along with revived global markets.