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Fine. Now keep it up!
Page 4
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WHEN the doors close on the Motor Show on Sunday the organisers will be able to look back on their 1980 effort with much more satisfaction than they did in 1978. From every angle this was a much better event. The attendance figures aren't likely to match 1978's, but, more importantly, quality replaced quantity in the aisles.
There were frank admissions from German, French, Swiss and Italian visitors that the British Show is now the best in Europe. Home-based operators paid similar compliments.
But compliments alone don't pay bills, it's orders that matter. The trade days at NEC produced millions of pounds worth of orders from both home and export markets. Buyers who had previously been reluctant to buy British did so after they had viewed the products. Many others left ready to reconsider their earlier "not at the moment" buying decision.
It is, however, still too early to get euphoric. Of course the Show will cause a mini boom, but that will not put factories back on five-day working. Only consistent demand will do that.
The Prime Minister declared that the Show had demonstrated a new aggressive approach to marketing and selling. That is what is requ.ired all round — more aggression and less apologising.
The 1980 Motor Show has given the industry a launching pad. It should now be preparing for lift off.