End of the road for British Motor Show

The biennial British International Motor Show, cancelled in 2010, will not be reinstated in 2012, it was announced today.

The show, held at the ExCel exhibition centre in London's Docklands, was successfully staged in 2008.

But the downturn in the motor industry caused the organiser, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), to scrap the 2010 event.

And today, the SMMT said that, following a thorough consultation with the UK motor industry, it was not reinstating the show in 2012.

SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said today: "The British International Motor Show has been a tremendously successful showcase for the UK motor industry.

"In recent years the show has played a less important role in influencing new car buyers and vehicle manufacturers are focusing their limited resources on events and activities that have a more direct impact on brand awareness and consumer decisions.

"The UK has a strong, diverse and highly competitive motor manufacturing industry, home to globally successful companies and iconic products admired around the world.

"Both the SMMT and the industry are committed to displaying the achievements of the sector and providing our customers with an opportunity to experience the full breadth of models available in the UK."

The show was held at Birmingham National Exhibition Centre from 1978 until 2004 before moving to ExCel in 2006.

The show had previously been held, first, at Crystal Palace, and then at the west London venues of Olympia and Earl's Court.