Iveco Ford no show
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• Iveco Ford has pulled out of the Birmingham Motor Show — but it still faces a bill of more than 2100,000 for late cancellation. The company blames a "significant downturn of nearly 30% in the commercial vehicle market" for its withdrawal, although it boosted its first-half market share by 2.5% to 24.9%.
Show organiser, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, imposes the full cost on exhibitors who cancel after 13 July., With a stand of 2,333m2 at 249/m2, Iveco Ford could face a bill of £114,317 for stand costs alone. But Iveco Ford is adamant that pulling out still presents savings, and says it is going to "concentrate its financial resources on a programme of support activities for customers and
dealers".
Some exhibitors will hope to capitalise on Iveco Ford's absence, but there are fears that if more big names drop out it will affect the number of visitors interested in commercial vehicles. Many of the big players are known to be reserving a decision on the 1.992 show until after this year's exhibition. For most, next year's Scottish Motor Show is also under review.
Volvo Trucks and Foden both stayed away from
Birmingham in 1988 — and they are not going back this year. Leyland Oaf says its plans have not changed and reports that a "reasonable number of international visitors" were attracted to its Daf International exhibit.
Scania believes that Birmingham is a "good showcase" for its products and services, but fears that the show will not attract the right sort of customers if more truck makers cancel — and it will not be going to Scotland next year. MAN has its "biggest stand ever" at the NEC, where it will launch its most powerful truck to date, the 373kW (500hp) F90 19.502 tractor. It describes Birmingham as a
"major showcase event".
ERF says it is likely to stick with both Birmingham and Scotland, it believes the shows have an "educational quality" as well as being sales platforms.
Seddon Atkinson will stay with the Motor Show for now, but like others is worried that it may suffer a similar fall-out to Scotland. "It's the variety of exhibitors that bring people there", says the company.
Mercedes-Benz is sticking with this year's show, but plans a "careful review" for the future.