Birmingham show
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faces rivals
• At least three exhibition companies are luring truck manufacturers with proposals for a rival CV show in 1991 or 1992, following poor attendances at the Birminghan show. Many industry pundits believe that this will have been the last time truck builders will ever take part at the National Exhibition Centre show. Iveco Ford, Volvo and Foden stayed away and Scalia has warned that it might boycott a 1992 show.
Among the locations being mooted for a CV exhibition are Earls Court in London (which housed the Motor Show until 1976), G-Mex in Manchester and an exhibition site in central Birmingham. One of the companies involved is Live Promotions, which has already made infor mal approaches to several manufacturers about a show either in late 1991 or 1992.
Live Promotions has a strong track record of organising truck-related events: it is behind Truck.fest, in Peterbor
ough, sponsored by Commercial Motor, which is the biggest CV event of the year. But this would be its first attempt at a product show.
Live Promotions' Colin Ward says the feeling among truck manufacturers is that there is a need for a lower cost indoor show. He has spent six months looking at locations and sponsorship and talking to potential exhibitors.
Another body said to be looking at a rival show is the Road Haulage Association. It denies it officially, but sources in the association say it has studied the idea: the RBA organises the successful Tipcon and Tankcon events.
Supporters of a Londonbased CV show say that the capital's entertainment facilities, including shopping and West End shows, would entice more operators to come, bring ing their families and staying longer. Many Scots hauliers, for example, do not come to Birmingham, but might be attracted to London, says one leading manufacturer.
Officially truck manufacturers, who are members of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, are not allowed to take part in a rival show without the endorsement of the SMMT, but this rule has fallen by the wayside in recent years. One manufacturer told CM: "If enough manufacturers want to exhibit somewhere else, there is very little the SMMT can do about it."
It is committed to having a show, featuring commercial vehicles, in 1992. If a rival event is set up it says it will "Set out to prove that ours is better", and warns that an event in London would prove dearer for exhibitors.