Why no Motorshow?
Discussion
I was at he NEC last weekend at the classic car show. It was great, bigger I think than the Motorshows of old.
Last time I was at the NEC was for the 1998 Motorshow where they launched the S-Type Jag and the Rover 75.
Going home on the train we were musing about the fact there are no motorshows anymore. Four guys aged from early. 30 s to early 60s, all looking to replace current cars with new ones on the next few months/years (two of us have fun cars too)
I read recently, maybe on here that 2014 was the biggest year for UK motor manufacturing since 1972. Paris, Frankfurt Geeva all have motor shows, as do other cities across the globe.
So what went wrong? From wiki I see 2008 was the last serious attempt which let's face of it was in the recession.
But JLR, are doing well, as is Nissan and a host of otther firms.
There's plenty of interest in new cars here on PH and the crowds at the NEC we're not all classic car owners. I guess most there would have turned out for a new car show too.
So why no motor show?
Last time I was at the NEC was for the 1998 Motorshow where they launched the S-Type Jag and the Rover 75.
Going home on the train we were musing about the fact there are no motorshows anymore. Four guys aged from early. 30 s to early 60s, all looking to replace current cars with new ones on the next few months/years (two of us have fun cars too)
I read recently, maybe on here that 2014 was the biggest year for UK motor manufacturing since 1972. Paris, Frankfurt Geeva all have motor shows, as do other cities across the globe.
So what went wrong? From wiki I see 2008 was the last serious attempt which let's face of it was in the recession.
But JLR, are doing well, as is Nissan and a host of otther firms.
There's plenty of interest in new cars here on PH and the crowds at the NEC we're not all classic car owners. I guess most there would have turned out for a new car show too.
So why no motor show?
When people are choosing cars nowadays they're very clued up through Internet research. They've looked at images of all the new models and read all about them long before any actual cars have been built and put on show. They then download the brochures, build a car to their preferred spec on the configurator and choose the finance deal they want. They pretty much know what they want before they set foot in a showroom so there isn't the need to invest in motor shows that there used to be. For those of us who just like looking at cars, even if we don't intend to buy them, it's disappointing but it's not financially worthwhile for car manufacturers to pay for a playground for us.
I loved the old motor shows - Earls Court especially, First went as a child in the mid eighties and loved it ever since. I used to manage to blag passes to the "Audi Lounge" which was like a s
tty VIP area - Great times, I'd def go again if there was one - I am thinking of taking the plunge and having a little euro road trip to Geneva one year
tty VIP area - Great times, I'd def go again if there was one - I am thinking of taking the plunge and having a little euro road trip to Geneva one yearEdited by morgrp on Sunday 23 November 19:39
I went to my first when I was 9. 1998 in the NEC. I went every year until it ended in 2008. I bought the Twingo basically off the back of sitting in the RS version at the 2008 motorshow. I wish there was still a motorshow. I went to the Geneva show this year though - it's really easy to do and not too expensive if you do it all in one day. Didn't feel any bigger or better than the British motorshow to me. Saying that a lot of manufacturers had pulled out of the British show in the end. I don't think Mercedes were there, possibly BMW or Audi as well. Big companies to lose.
My Dad took me to a couple of NEC shows in the 1980s. The first one included my one and only view of the show-stopping Aston Martin Bulldog: the crowds were 10 deep around the AM stand. That car looked like a vision of the future to everyone there: how wrong we were! Sorry William Towns but your design looks awful nowadays.
Other highlights of visits included the 174mph Ford Transit Supervan 2 and my Dad took a shine to the Lancia Thema 8.32 with its space-age retractable rear wing: now that did catch on.
I also liked to wander round the commercial vehicle Halls to see which truck had the biggest tyres!
I guess the lack of a meaningful show to attend nowadays may reduce the younger generation's interest in vehicles.
Other highlights of visits included the 174mph Ford Transit Supervan 2 and my Dad took a shine to the Lancia Thema 8.32 with its space-age retractable rear wing: now that did catch on.
I also liked to wander round the commercial vehicle Halls to see which truck had the biggest tyres!
I guess the lack of a meaningful show to attend nowadays may reduce the younger generation's interest in vehicles.
I hate to sound luddite but cars in general seem to be much of a muchness.
Looks and style are now determined by legislation rather than artistic interpretation.
Conformity to safety and co2 production stifles creativity.
Even Ferraris aren't all red !
If you're looking to buy something new then you probably already have a good idea of what you like and a test drive is far cheaper for a marque than a stand at the NEC.
Much prefer the Classic NEC Show personally.
Looks and style are now determined by legislation rather than artistic interpretation.
Conformity to safety and co2 production stifles creativity.
Even Ferraris aren't all red !
If you're looking to buy something new then you probably already have a good idea of what you like and a test drive is far cheaper for a marque than a stand at the NEC.
Much prefer the Classic NEC Show personally.
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