British International Motor Show

The British International Motor Show is an automobile show held biennially in the United Kingdom. It is recognised as an international show by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles. The 2010 show has been cancelled due to the current economic downturn.^[1]

History

The first British Motor Show organised by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) was held at Crystal Palace, London in 1903. It subsequently moved to Olympia in London, where it was held each year for 32 years. From 1937 until 1976, it was held at Earl's Court in London, before moving to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham in 1978. The NEC hosted the show every other year until the last show there in May 2004. The 2004 show was moved from the traditional October date to May to avoid conflicting with the other two major autumn motor shows in Frankfurt and Paris.^[2] In 2006 the motor show was returned to London, taking place at ExCeL in London Docklands.

2008

The 2008 British International Motor Show was held at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre in London's Docklands from 23 July-3 August.

The organisers of this year's British International Motor Show, were 'charged up' about their all-new showcase of the latest electric vehicle models. The Electric Vehicle Village brings together one of the largest collections of zero-emissions vehicles ever seen in the UK, with a display of more than 20 vehicles which are propelled solely by battery power. Vehicle emissions levels affect motoring costs, in particular vehicle excise duty, and electric cars are exempt from the congestion charge in London with free parking in Westminster and some surrounding London boroughs.^[3]

The auto show follows a trend seen recently in the United States, with small companies unveiling high-priced, high-performance electric cars. The Lightning Car Company, for instance, unveiled the Lightning GT, which incorporates quick-charging lithium titanate batteries from Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc. into a body made from carbon fiber and Kevlar composites. The Lightning GTS employs in-wheel motors to accelerate to 60 miles per hour in less than 4 seconds. The company is taking orders for 2009 delivery, but it is not yet advertising a price for the vehicle.

Car Introductions:

• Alfa Romeo Mito (international and UK introduction)
• Ford Focus RS
• Lotus Evora
• Mastretta MXT^[4] (first Mexican sports car)
• Nissan Qashqai+2
• Ford Fiesta ECOnetic
• Vauxhall Insignia
• SsangYong Rexton R-Line

2006

The 2006 British Motor Show was held in July at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre in London's Docklands. It featured a nightly post-show rock music festival called Dock Rock.

Vehicle introductions:

• Alfa Romeo Spider (UK introduction)
• Aston Martin Rapide (UK introduction)
• Bentley Continental Flying Spur Mulliner Driving Specification
• BMW M6 Convertible
• Chevrolet Captiva (UK introduction)
• Chrysler Sebring sedan (Europe introduction)
• Dodge Nitro (Europe introduction)
• Ford Focus coupe-convertible (UK introduction)
• Honda Civic 3-door hatchback
• Jaguar XJR Portfolio
• Jaguar XKR
• Kia C-segment model (codename ED)
• Land Rover Freelander2/LR2 (World Introduction)
• Lexus GS 300 Limited Edition
• Lotus Europa S (UK introduction)
• Lotus Exige S (UK introduction)
• Mazda BT-50 (Europe introduction)
• Mazda Mazda3 MPS (UK introduction)
• Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe
• MINI GP (UK introduction)
• Mitsubishi i (Europe introduction)
• Rolls-Royce 101EX (UK introduction)
• Saab 9-3 Convertible BioPower
• SEAT León Cupra
• SEAT León FR
• SEAT Altea FR
• Smart Fortwo EV
• Toyota RAV4 (UK introduction)
• Toyota Yaris (UK introduction)
• Vauxhall Corsa 3-door and 5-door (World introduction)
• Volvo S60
• Volvo S80 (UK introduction)
• Volvo XC90 (UK introduction)

Dock rock performers:

• 19 July, A-Ha
• 20 July, Van Morrison
• 21 July, UB40
• 22 July, Roxy Music
• 24 July, Simple Minds
• 26 July, Katherine Jenkins with the National Symphony Orchestra of London
• 27 July, Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra

2004

In 2004 the show, branded The Sunday Times Motorshow Live, was held from 27 May - 6 June, instead of the usual October.

1998

22 October to 1 November 1998 at the NEC, Birmingham. Saw the launch of two critical saloons from British car manufacturers:

Vehicle introductions:

• Rover 75 - debut of the first (and last) Rover with the help of BMW.
• Jaguar S-Type - all new executive car from Jaguar, retro in design like the Rover.

1998 was also the year that the then BMW boss Bernd Pischetsrieder made an impromptu speech about the future of the Rover Longbridge plant which would then lead to the sell of the brand in 2000 and its collapse in 2005.

1988

22 October 1988–30 October 1988 NEC, Birmingham.

Vehicle introductions:

• Jaguar XJ220 - debut of Jaguar's 220 mph (350 km/h) all wheel drive (AWD) super car concept vehicle

1984

20 October 1984–28 October 1984 NEC, Birmingham.

Vehicle introductions:

• Austin Montego Estate - the Design Council award winning family estate from Austin Rover^[5]

1974

16 October 1974–26 October 1974 Earls Court, London.

The Citroën CX had been launched a few weeks earlier at the Paris Motor Show and was scheduled for inclusion in the 1974 London show. It was withdrawn at the eleventh hour, possibly because the manufacturers found themselves unable to schedule rhd production of the car till well into 1975^[6]. The model nevertheless went on to win first place with motoring journalists voting for the European Car of the Year a few months later.

Vehicle introductions:

• Lotus Esprit (Worldwide launch)^[7]
• Lotus Eclat (2+2) (Worldwide launch)^[7]

1968

16 October 1968–26 October 1968 Earls Court, London.

The opening ceremony was performed by Princess Alexandra at 10 am on Wednesday 16 October ^[8].

Vehicle introductions:

• Jaguar XJ6^[8]
• Austin 3-litre^[8] (relaunch)

1967

18 October 1967–28 October 1967 Earls Court, London.

For the first time since 1948, 1967 saw an increase in the normal daily admission charge which was raised from 5 shillings (GBP 0.25) to 7 shillings and 6 (old) pence (GBP 0.375)^[9].

Vehicle introductions:

• Aston Martin DBS^[9]
• Triumph Herald 13/60^[9]
• NSU Ro80^[9]
• Simca 1100^[9]

1966

19 October 1966–29 October 1966 Earls Court, London.

Vehicle introductions:

• Aston Martin DB6 Volante - debut
• Ford Cortina Mark II^[10]
• Hillman Hunter^[10]
• Jensen FF - AWD super car launched. The world's first production car with anti-lock brakes.^[11]
• Vauxhall Viva HB^[10]

1949

Vehicle introductions:

• Austin A40 Sports^[12]

1948

27 October 1948–6 November 1948 Earls Court, London.

Vehicle introductions:

• Jaguar XK120 - launched, and was the world's fastest production car at the time

1905-1936

The British International Motor Show was held annually at Olympia from 1905 to 1936.^[13][14]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: British International Motor Show

• British motor industry

References and notes

External links

• British International Motor Show - Official website
• The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders - Official website of the organisers