Organisers of the London Motor Show are desperately trying to persuade Ford
and General Motors’ UK arm Vauxhall to attend the heavily boycotted exhibition
at Earls Court in October and have extended the deadline for confirmed bookings,
the Western Mail newspaper reported.
Organiser Clarion Events has now told the car makers they do not have to make
a firm decision until they have seen a radical plan to boost visitors.
The organisers are still working on the fine detail of the project as they
struggle to offset the effects of eight car brands pulling out before Christmas.
The big two should have signed firm contracts by now but have been concerned
by the withdrawal of so many manufacturers and the cost of taking part at a
time when their British car plants have announced closures.
Now Clarion Events has given Ford and Vauxhall an extended deadline in the
hope they will commit once they have seen the action plan for visitors.
This should be presented to company executives in the near future.
Smaller importers who have yet to decide if they will attend are understood
to be also awaiting the decision of the big two before they sign agreements.
