Currently reading: Motor show beats expectations
Motor show beats expectations

British motor show visitors will get an even bigger and better show in 2008 after the doors shut yesterday on a hugely successful London show.

That’s the message coming from show organiser IMIE and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Though official visitor numbers have yet to be confirmed, by last Friday over 345,000 had attended, and expectations are that around 420,000 people will have visited the ExCeL exhibition centre in London’s Docklands during the show’s 10-day run.

“In the final week we've had unprecedented weekday attendances. Day after day we saw crowds grow. It's hugely encouraging,” said Rob Mackenzie, director of IMIE.

Though the 2008 show had already been pencilled in, the success of this year’s event increases the chances of more world debuts, more car makers and more visitors next time round.

“The aim was to put our show back where it belonged on the international map and I am delighted that this decision has been totally vindicated,” said SMMT boss Christopher Macgowan. “We look to build on this success when we return to ExCeL in 2008.”

Visitor numbers are, however, only part of the story: what really counts is what you thought of the show. Will you be coming back in 2008? 

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