London’s first British International Motor Show in 30 years (July 20-30) has received a boost with confirmation that Vauxhall/Opel has chosen the event to give the all-new Corsa model its world première.
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Bill Parfitt, Vauxhall’s managing director said: “The UK is Europe’s biggest market for the Corsa by some margin, and it regularly tops the British car sales charts. It was a natural decision to choose The British International Motor Show for the unveiling of the all-new model. The British public loves Corsas, and they’ll get to see it first.”
The show organiser IMIE’s (International Motor Industry Events) marketing director, Kirsty Adams, said: “Vauxhall’s decision to launch one of its most successful models underlines the prestige of The British International Motor Show and the kudos there is to be gained by using London as a backdrop to première a car on the world stage.
“With over half a million people from the UK expected to attend during the two weeks, Vauxhall has undoubtedly chosen the perfect occasion to show off the new Corsa to many of its existing and potentially new customers.”
The organisers say that some 30 manufacturers are already committed to this year’s British International Motor Show. The current line-up now reads: Bentley, Barabus, BMW, Cadillac, Citroën, Chevrolet Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Hummer, Hyundai, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Lotus, Mazda, Mercedes Car Group, MINI, Mitsubishi, Morgan, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Saab, SEAT, Toyota, TVR, Vauxhall and Volvo.
The British Motor Show was moved from Birmingham’s NEC to London’s Docklands area in order to revive its fortunes in what has become an increasingly competitive European auto show arena. The NEC is said to have become expensive for exhibiting manufacturers and London is also seen as a more attractive draw than Birmingham, especially for international visitors.
The last British Motor Show, in Birmingham in 2004, was chiefly noted for its lack of model debuts, some ‘missing’ manufacturers and a strong consumer focus that ultimately failed to bring in sufficent visitor numbers. The only planned world premiere was the Renault Modus, but that debut was undermined by a showing of the Modus to journalists at a press conference in Spain just a few weeks ahead of the Birmingham show.
London Motor Show organisers’ website: http://www.britishmotorshow.co.uk/
Dave Leggett
