British Motor Show

[Butts]

Is it not a disgrace that there has not been a British Motor Show since 2008 with the 2010 and 2012 shows being cancelled.

Butts and Butts Junior were in attendance at London's Excel in 2008.

Since then we have had to cross The Channel to Geneva, Paris or Frankfurt to view the Worlds latest automotive developments.

Bearing in mind UK car sales have been hitting all time high's whilst those in Europe have been plummeting makes this all the more astonishing.

So come on British Motor Industry, get your act together. Perhaps the return of Top Gear this Sunday will get the ball rolling.

 

[transmanche]

Bearing in mind UK car sales have been hitting all time high's whilst those in Europe have been plummeting makes this all the more astonishing.

Well, 2013 saw the highest sales since 2007 - so not quite an all-time high. But of more interest is the comment from the BBC's Robert Peston that 'PPI cash' is behind the increase in car sales - suggesting that's it's an artifical short-term boost.

 

[DownSouth]

TV and the internet is what happened, motor shows were an unsustainable and ineffective form of retail advertising that attracted car enthusiasts instead of potential car buyers. The really beneficial work of a motor show for car manufacturers was to get the dealers pumped up, but the manufacturers eventually realised they could do that far more easily by ditching the motor show and running their own cheaper event just for the dealers - and having a whole lot of money left over to spend on more effective advertising that actually gets people into dealerships.

The 'traditional' motor show with huge displays for the public out front and dealers boozing out the back are dying off all over the world, and it won't be long before just the big four (Geneva, Tokyo, Detroit, Frankfurt) remain - and even those are already well on their way to turning into more conventional trade shows for industry insiders and the media.

 

[Butts]

TV and the internet is what happened, motor shows were an unsustainable and ineffective form of retail advertising that attracted car enthusiasts instead of potential car buyers. The really beneficial work of a motor show for car manufacturers was to get the dealers pumped up, but the manufacturers eventually realised they could do that far more easily by ditching the motor show and running their own cheaper event just for the dealers - and having a whole lot of money left over to spend on more effective advertising that actually gets people into dealerships.

The 'traditional' motor show with huge displays for the public out front and dealers boozing out the back are dying off all over the world, and it won't be long before just the big four (Geneva, Tokyo, Detroit, Frankfurt) remain - and even those are already well on their way to turning into more conventional trade shows for industry insiders and the media.

Last time I went to the British Motor Show it seemed to be well attended, admittedly Frankfurt is the biggest but London/Birmingham was on a par with Paris or Geneva.

 

[pdq]

Anyone remember the Motorfair, held at Earls Court on the years when there was no Motor Show? My mother took me there on a coach holiday from Tenby when I was around 9 or 10, so early 80s.

It was a car-mad child's dream come true, jumping in and out of just about every car on display; my Mum would have been bored stiff though! It was just after Richard Noble's first successful speed record attempt and the car was on display so can anyone place the year from that?

I'm guessing 1983 as I recall being on a brand new Y reg coach. Funny how things come back to you, and what was important as a child.

 

[Johnuk123]

Once it left the N.E.C it was doomed but unfortunately as was the case with building Wembley the London lobby got what it wanted.
The N.E.C had everything - Airport, station, motorways and it was far bigger than anything London had but that didn't matter - it wasn't London so it wouldn't last.

 

[asylumxl]

Once it left the N.E.C it was doomed but unfortunately as was the case with building Wembley the London lobby got what it wanted.
The N.E.C had everything - Airport, station, motorways and it was far bigger than anything London had but that didn't matter - it wasn't London so it wouldn't last.

What have you been smoking and where can I buy some?

 

[richw]

This thread has just made me look into the Paris motors how, if I can get a few days off work, a trip to Paris looks possible. 14 euros entry seems good value looking at the past shows itineraries (this years itinerary is not available yet)

 

[Daimler]

One - admittedly smaller - alternative to the Motor Show is the Canary Wharf Motorexpo, which can be quite good fun, and runs every year. It's free to enter (the majority of stands are dotted around public spaces in the vicinity of Canada Square) and they usually have a fair selection of cars, generally from the premium end of the market - presumably to cater for those working in the area.

 

[Butts]

This thread has just made me look into the Paris motors how, if I can get a few days off work, a trip to Paris looks possible. 14 euros entry seems good value looking at the past shows itineraries (this years itinerary is not available yet)

I have been to Paris and Geneva recently and would say the latter is the superior show.

Obviously if you are combining it with a few days r&r Paris probably has the upper hand.

Geneva can be done in a day as I am doing this March. First flight in and last out on BA from Gatwick (£39 each way). The Palplexo where the show takes place adjoins the Airport and is only a few minutes away on foot. Entry is actually about the same at 16 Swiss Francs (or half price after 4pm).

Added bonus "Duty Free" on the Swiss Trip.

 

[Clip]

Once it left the N.E.C it was doomed but unfortunately as was the case with building Wembley the London lobby got what it wanted.
The N.E.C had everything - Airport, station, motorways and it was far bigger than anything London had but that didn't matter - it wasn't London so it wouldn't last.

Are you mental? It was on the slide in Brum well before Wembley was built.. It was on its last legs in the 90s due to us not really being a big player in the industry and tried to keep it going by moving to biannual but it just didnt cut the mustard.


Has Top Gear live been on the last few years though? Mind saying that its more about the live shows that so not a good representation.

And of course the best of the lot is the Goodowood festival of speed. Much more fun.

 

[Temple Meads]

One - admittedly smaller - alternative to the Motor Show is the Canary Wharf Motorexpo, which can be quite good fun, and runs every year. It's free to enter (the majority of stands are dotted around public spaces in the vicinity of Canada Square) and they usually have a fair selection of cars, generally from the premium end of the market - presumably to cater for those working in the area.

Looks interesting, I may have to tie a London bash in with that. Thanks

 

[Johnuk123]

Are you mental? It was on the slide in Brum well before Wembley was built.. It was on its last legs in the 90s due to us not really being a big player in the industry and tried to keep it going by moving to biannual but it just didnt cut the mustard.

Before you abuse people when I mentioned Wembley it was just because it was never going to be anywhere but London nothing to do with the N.E.C. whatsoever.

I remember the mayor of Birmingham saying he'd been told by a Government minister that the bid process was simply to pretend that other areas had a chance when a new national football stadium was always going to North London at absolutely any price.
I remember a building boss saying the exact same place could have been built for less than a quarter of what Wembley cost had it been in a different area.

If you had read what I had posted it was the position of the show only, I agree it was in decline but it didn't exactly do brilliant after it moved did it.

Nobody can tell me that London can ever be suitable for a national motor show in it's awkward position tucked away in one corner of the country compared to a more central position.
Don't you think anybody lives out of London, does everything in this country have to be London based ?

I well remember the derision from London when the N.E.C was built, the howls of laughter and nasty Londoncentric comments were all over the London media.

Never last they said, white elephant they cried, what a stupid place for an exhibition centre said the usual London luvvies although the business people were generally in favour.

Which is easiest to get to the Excel centre which is small compared to the perfectly placed N.E.C. which is huge.

Well the rest of the story is history as they say as the N.E.C has been so successful it's been enlarged countless times.

 

[jon0844]

There's nothing wrong with the NEC, but ExCeL is a great place. Getting to London isn't that hard, and there are obviously quite a fair few people already there.

Now smaller places like Earls Court and Olympia are perhaps the ones that would struggle with any large exhibitions.

 

[Butts]

There's nothing wrong with the NEC, but ExCeL is a great place. Getting to London isn't that hard, and there are obviously quite a fair few people already there.

Now smaller places like Earls Court and Olympia are perhaps the ones that would struggle with any large exhibitions.

If you are flying from Scotland straight into Geneva with the Palplexo being walkable from the Airport it's as easy to reach as Excel (and often cheaper)

 

[jon0844]

I've been to exhibitions in Geneva, and walking to/from the airport is a big plus. It means you can walk the halls and leave in time to walk and check in without there being any chance of delays (thus having to leave a lot earlier).

I like ExCeL, but I'd also quite like to go to more events at the NEC as it's more of a day out. It's quite nice to sit on the train to/from Birmingham and get some work done, in a way that you can't really do in London when changing tubes/DLR!

 

[Butts]

I've been to exhibitions in Geneva, and walking to/from the airport is a big plus. It means you can walk the halls and leave in time to walk and check in without there being any chance of delays (thus having to leave a lot earlier).

I like ExCeL, but I'd also quite like to go to more events at the NEC as it's more of a day out. It's quite nice to sit on the train to/from Birmingham and get some work done, in a way that you can't really do in London when changing tubes/DLR!

The only bad thing about Geneva is the price of everything :roll:

Plus points - a wonderful Smoking Lounge at the Airport and "Duty Free"

 

[the sniper]

Geneva can be done in a day as I am doing this March. First flight in and last out on BA from Gatwick (£39 each way). The Palplexo where the show takes place adjoins the Airport and is only a few minutes away on foot. Entry is actually about the same at 16 Swiss Francs (or half price after 4pm).

Added bonus "Duty Free" on the Swiss Trip.

Did this last year, though I stayed in a hotel literally just over the border in Ferney-Voltaire, France, so I could have a full day at the show and not feel knackered from the start. Bus from the airport to there only cost a couple of quid and took minutes. Got the hotel shuttle bus back to the show in the morning. As you say, flights are very reasonably priced, I think I got the return ticket on Easy Jet for less than £30! Entry to the show is pretty cheap too compared to British shows.

Thinking of doing it again this year, but going by train instead and combining it with a few days travelling around Switzerland. This is with the benefit of FIP coupons and card.

It's a good show Geneva, that was the first time I'd been to a show abroad. What surprised me was how many British people there were there! I went mid week and there seemed to be Brits all over the place. I also randomly met one of my favourite ex-rally drivers/motorsport character's (a guy called Gigi Galli) as he walked around the Mini area with his wife, he was just at the show a paying visitor, so it was one hell of a chance meeting!

 

[Butts]

Did this last year, though I stayed in a hotel literally just over the border in Ferney-Voltaire, France, so I could have a full day at the show and not feel knackered from the start. Bus from the airport to there only cost a couple of quid and took minutes. Got the hotel shuttle bus back to the show in the morning. As you say, flights are very reasonably priced, I think I got the return ticket on Easy Jet for less than £30! Entry to the show is pretty cheap too compared to British shows.

Thinking of doing it again this year, but going by train instead and combining it with a few days travelling around Switzerland. This is with the benefit of FIP coupons and card.

It's a good show Geneva, that was the first time I'd been to a show abroad. What surprised me was how many British people there were there! I went mid week and there seemed to be Brits all over the place. I also randomly met one of my favourite ex-rally drivers/motorsport character's (a guy called Gigi Galli) as he walked around the Mini area with his wife, he was just at the show a paying visitor, so it was one hell of a chance meeting!

Was it busy when you went ? - Last year I went after 4pm Friday (reasonable) and again on Saturday (mobbed).

This year I will be there for "opening" Wednesday 2nd week hoping it will be a bit quieter. Makes all the difference to your enjoyment of the show.

 

[Bishopstone]

I went to the last London show and it seemed well attended. I don't think lack of public interest was ever the problem, was it?

This is probably very naive, but did the organisers think about paying the manufacturers/dealer groups to attend, and loading the extra cost onto tickets? Thus acknowledging it's more of a day out than a serious car buying opportunity.

I can't help thinking that in a densely populated country where we love changing cars frequently, there should be a way to make a Motor Show commercially viable by tweaking the format somewhat.

 

[the sniper]

Was it busy when you went ? - Last year I went after 4pm Friday (reasonable) and again on Saturday (mobbed).

This year I will be there for "opening" Wednesday 2nd week hoping it will be a bit quieter. Makes all the difference to your enjoyment of the show.

It wasn't too bad at all, I don't like crowds and didn't have a problem. There were only a couple of people around most cars, and around the Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini areas the crowd was only one or two rows of people deep. You could walk around freely everywhere at all times and have a sit in even the most popular models without much of a wait.

Just checked my records and I actually went on the Monday, so it should be even quieter on the Wednesday.

 

[Butts]

It wasn't too bad at all, I don't like crowds and didn't have a problem. There were only a couple of people around most cars, and around the Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini areas the crowd was only one or two rows of people deep. You could walk around freely everywhere at all times and have a sit in even the most popular models without much of a wait.

Just checked my records and I actually went on the Monday, so it should be even quieter on the Wednesday.

Strangely the Hyundai and Kia and Ssanyong (or whatever it's called) stands are always easily accessible.

Did you manage to get into the "posh enclosures" ie Ferrari, Maybach, Bentley etc - if so how ?

 

[the sniper]

Did you manage to get into the "posh enclosures" ie Ferrari, Maybach, Bentley etc - if so how ?

I didn't try tbh, I wasn't that fussed about sitting in them. I think people were just asking though, certainly that's how it worked on the Bugatti stand towards the end of the day. I imagine there was some kind of invitational system in place too at busier times. Though I think if a man who looked like he had money asked at the same time as someone in a tracksuit, the former would get the nod first.

 

[fowler9]

Strangely the Hyundai and Kia and Ssanyong (or whatever it's called) stands are always easily accessible.

Did you manage to get into the "posh enclosures" ie Ferrari, Maybach, Bentley etc - if so how ?

Back in the late 80's I got to sit in all kinds in the NEC. Absolutely loved it.

Meanwhile in the real world the only place I've ever seen a Maybach on the street was Hong Kong. Spending a week in Turin I saw a load of beat up Fiats and Lancias and one Lamborghini.