The History Of British International Motor Show

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Time to British Motor Show insights!

Auto shows are the main area where big automakers unveil their new concepts and even launch new editions.

All over the world, there are several famous auto shows, which are highly appreciated and famous such as SEMA, New York International Auto Show, etc. among them there’s another big international auto show where elite automakers join.

Source: BBC

British Motor Show is one of the most famous auto shows in the world. nothing can get better and bigger than the British Motor Show which consists of an outstanding auto show.

The way they execute the show every year looks like their team invests their precious time in it and their goal stays the same every year which is to produce better.

Source: Car Magazine

It’s been more than a decade since British International Auto Show started, how about getting a ride to the back story of the world’s most popular auto show on the planet.

British International Motor Show-Bumpy Ride

For those who don’t know, British Motor Show used to be known as British International Motor Show from 1903 to 2008.

Back then it was organized by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Throughout the journey, the venues didn’t stay the same at all.

Source: Flickr

Initially, it was held in London at Crystal Palace, but it transferred to Olympia and then Earls Court Exhibition Centre.

It stayed there until 2004 when they again shifted to ExCeL London in 2006 and 2008. But from 2010 to 2012 the event didn’t take place due to a serious global financial crisis, which led the organization to shut down.

Source: Supercar

In 2008, the show raised the bar with elite car manufacturers and that’s what is all about British International Motor Show. In that particular event before the shutdown car which is introduced are:

  • Alfa Romeo Mito (World/United Kingdom Introduction)
  • Ford Focus RS
  • Lotus Evora (World premiere)
  • Mastretta MXT[42] (first Mexican sports car)
  • Nissan Qashqai+2
  • Ford Fiesta ECOnetic
  • Vauxhall Insignia
  • SsangYong Rexton R-Line
  • Tesla Roadster

Along with that, there were concept cars as well which includes:

  • Cadillac CTS Coupe
  • Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
  • Citroen C-Cactus
  • Honda OSM
  • Kia Excee’d Convertible
  • Kia Kee
  • Land Rover LRX
  • Lexus LFA
  • Lotus Elise Eco
  • Saab 9-X Biohybrid
  • Smart electric drive

It was a massive success looking at that time of period, where the British International Motor Show delivered a blockbuster show with major car manufacturers out there. People thought they are done and finished. But they didn’t.

Source: Autocar

Right after four years in 2016, the show returned but under a different banner known as “London Motor Show” and worked till 2019.

Rise Of The British Motor Show

After London Motor Show, in 2021 the show again made a huge come back to Farnborough under the old or say new banner ‘British Motor Show’ which made it to the headline.

Source: Autoweek

2021’s event was epic because for several reasons, and among those British Motor Show was the first event that took place lifting of coronavirus measures.

It was the big first event as due to pandemic most of the other events got postponed and British Motor Show changed the dynamic with their return with record-breaking 50,000 visitors.

British Motor Show will continue with the Farnborough until 2025 and decided to be the annual motor show event.