As the UK’s auto industry contemplates life without the next scheduled 2010 SMMT-organised London Motor Show, alternative event concepts are being discussed including the idea of a Davos-style automotive ‘summit’.
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A report in UK consumer title Autocar says that discussions surrounding an automotive ‘summit’ modelled on the Davos World Economic Forum, perhaps coordinating with Motor Expo at Canary Wharf, are taking place. The event could mix new car displays with media events.
“We’re looking at that sort of idea, but we’ve got a long way to go with it,” Paul Everitt, chief executive of the SMMT, told Autocar.
Part of the idea is to coordinate the automotive summit with the Motor Expo at Canary Wharf in London’s Docklands, mixing new car displays with media events, the essential elements of a traditional motor show.
Motor Expo is a niche event that aims mainly upscale car brand displays at the people of high net worth working in the Canary Wharf complex.
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By GlobalDataExploratory talks with the company that owns Canary Wharf (a bespoke financial centre development just east of London’s ‘City’ CBD) and the Excel exhibition centre are said to have been ‘encouraging’, according to the report.
While the area around the financial district in east London would hold the Motor Expo, a wide-ranging auto conference would grab the headlines with a series of heavy-hitting announcements and discussions, the report says.
By organising the core of the event with industry heavyweights close to London’s financial and media centres, the SMMT believes that spin-off events would be generated, just as happens with the World Economic Forum held each year at Davos in Switzerland.
“With so many important people in town, you could imagine one of the British car awards ceremonies being held in the evening,” said Everitt.
One of the appeals to the industry of the summit idea is its relatively low cost compared to a traditional motor show.
Meanwhile, the organisers of the Motor Expo event claimed credit for the Davos-style idea.
Graeme Carver, Motor Expo’s MD said: “I can confirm that we have been in discussion with the SMMT and that we proposed the Davos-style summit idea some time ago. Conversations on this are continuing and I believe that the concept would give the industry the opportunity to develop its relationship with the media”.
Carver added “Ultimately all motor shows depend on the attendance of motor manufacturers and its audience and we are currently in discussions with many manufacturers regarding options for the future. All the feedback that I have had so far has been very encouraging and we are looking to take input from all brands from across the automotive spectrum regarding their needs and requirements”.
Motor Expo opens on Monday 8th June and runs until Saturday 13th June from 10am to 6pm and on Sunday 14th June from 11am to 5pm. The event is entirely free for the public to attend.
See also: UK: 2010 British motor show canned
