Scania quits show
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• In a move described by one industry source as either "Very brave . or stupid", Scania Great Britain, and its Renfrewshire-based distributor Reliable Vehicles, has decided not to exhibit at the Scottish Motor Show in November.
The Swedish vehicle importer says it has reached the decision "following poor attendance by CV operators at the 1985 event" — visitors to the Scottish Exhibition Centre on the first two trade days in '85 were 50% down compared with the previous Scottish Show, held at Kelvin Hall.
As a result of its withdrawal, the two companies "are jointly considering alternative ways of promoting Scania in Scotland which are more cost effective."
According to Scania's marketing director Cliff Groves: "Although the new Scottish Exhibition Centre and the organisers provided us with the requirements for an excellent show, the public involved in our sector of the industry did not attend in sufficient numbers to warrant the time and costs involved in staging a display of the quality which reflects our products."
With the exception of Foden, which has taken the deci sion not to exhibit at either NEC or SEC, Scania seems to be the only truck manufacturer which will not be showing at the SEC — where, unlike the Birmingham show, manufacturers exhibit through their dealers.
A number of truck companies, however, have still to make a final decision. MANVW managing director Richard Ide says his company "has been debating its participation, but has yet to make a decision." Many manufacturers, reports Ide, were "disappointed with the CV element in the last show."
Seddon Atkinson says it has budgeted for the Scottish show, but will not commit itself until it has assessed the total costs of exhibiting. It is "looking a little bit harder at the costs of exhibitions every year."