2010 British Motor Show cancelled
March 20, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Citing the economic downturn and problems within the car industry in general organisers of the 2010 British Motor Show have decided today to cancel the event.
The show, which takes place every second year, has been running since 1903. The only time it has been cancelled before were between the years of 1939 and 1947 because of World War II.
“The global credit crunch has placed the automotive sector under unique pressure and has created a level of uncertainty that deters manufacturers from committing to large-scale, international events,” SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) CEO Paul Everitt said. “Both SMMT and the industry are committed to displaying the achievements of the sector but in a way that better reflects the changing dynamics of the industry.”
Last year’s event attracted 472,300 visitors, but with the UK car industry’s sales down 28.7 per cent in the first two months of this year, discussions between SMMT and exhibitors resulted in the difficult decision to not stage the event.
The SMMT said it is too early to say whether an event would take place in 2012.
Discussions are taking place to decide what replacement events could take place.
Print it: 
Last years show was a farce with sooo many no-shows from the large manufacturers. Audi prefering the Goodwood festival to London. It was never going to happen anyway, Brtish buyers are few and far between and are not really bothered by cars too much. Most are fleet purchases anyway.
No great loss
What’s the point of cancelling it? Seriously….
Well I have a relative telling me he is European and not British. So going by that, the European motor show translates to the Paris motor show.
^So what is your point Frenchie?
The British Motor Show was always held every two years at the NEC (National Exhibition Centre) near Brimingham with Motorfair held at Earls Court London in the years between. The NEC was always a huge show with over 1 million visitors over the week. With numbers dwindling it was decided to move the show to London Docklands. I remember going to my first Melbourne “International” Motor Show a couple of years ago and was very surprised how small it was compared to the NEC show, which had at least 6 halls the size of Jeff’s Shed full. One year Ford had an entire hall to itself showing all of it’s brands (Land Rover, Volvo, Astom Martin etc). Shame it is being cancelled considering how big the UK motor industry is and the high number of vehicles being produced before the current crisis began.