Foden pulls out
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FODEN TRUCKS has pulled out of this year's Motor Show at the National Exhibition Centre and is to concentrate on operator events instead.
According to company marketing manager Roy Caddy, it wants to participate in events like last week's Transport in Action show, and at Tipcon, the Institute of Road Transport Engineers' conference, and at CM's Lorry Driver of the Year finals.
He said the Motor Show attracted "hangers on" who took up too much of stand staff's time and could prevent potential customers from being given as much attention as they might otherwise get.
Regional exhibitions, where operators may drive vehicles and spend more time with Foden staff, are more cost effective, according to Mr Caddy, and Foden is launching its own series of 18 ride-anddrive days throughout Britain later this year.
He stressed that the company was not pulling out of NEC to save money. It would spend as much on a wider range of displays.
If Foden's move is followed by other manufacturers, it could be a serious blow to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which runs the Motor Show and which has to balance the interests of the commercial vehicle and car exhibitors.