British Motor Show

2008 London Motor Show Poster.

The British International Motor Show is an auto show held biennially in the United Kingdom. It is recognised as an international show by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles.

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.

2006

The 2006 British Motor Show was held in London in July. The event will be at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre in the Docklands. A nightly post-show rock music festival called Dock Rock is also planned. According to the Top Gear website, Lightning McQueen(The star car from the Pixar film Cars which isn't based off a real car) will be featured as a real car.

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:

• July 19, A-Ha
• July 20, Van Morrison
• July 21, UB40
• July 22, Roxy Music
• July 24, Simple Minds
• July 26, Katherine Jenkins with the National Symphony Orchestra
• July 27, 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.

1988

October 22 1988–October 30 1988 NEC, Birmingham.

Vehicle introductions:

• Jaguar XJ220 - debut of Jaguar's 220 mph all wheel drive (AWD) supercar concept vehicle

1984

October 20 1984–October 28 1984 NEC, Birmingham.

Vehicle introductions:

• Austin Montego Estate - the Design Council award winning family estate from Austin Rover

1974

October 16 1974–October 26 1974 Earl's Court, London.

Vehicle introductions:

• Lotus Esprit (Worldwide launch)
• Lotus Eclat (2+2) (Worldwide launch)

1966

October 19 1966–October 29 1966 Earl's Court, London.

Vehicle introductions:

• Jensen FF - AWD super car launched. The world's first production car with anti-lock brakes.
• Aston Martin DB6 Volante - debut

1948

October 27 1948–November 6 1948 Earl's Court, London.

Vehicle introductions:

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

References

• SMMT history including that of the motor show
• British International Motor Show Pietro Frua - Source of show locations and dates

External links

• British International Motor Show - Official website
• The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders - Official website of the organisers
• 2008 London Motor Show’s Cool Poster