The British International Motor Show 2010 has been cancelled due to what appears to be sour grapes from the organisers.

The organisers say that it’s due to the economic crisis, which to me doesn’t seem too convincing given that they’re able to make the usual show investments, and 2010 is projected to be a better year for the economy than 2008 and 2009. The organisers have hinted at the real reason: competition and attraction.

The last show in summer ‘08 appeared to be quite a success. The Alfa Romeo MiTo, Ford Focus RS, Vauxhall Insignia and Vauxhall Corsa all had their world premieres at that show, and a fair amount of hype was generated, particularly for the Insignia and Focus. And aside from the usual ‘petrolhead’ attractions were events that even non enthusiasts would have liked.

However, this is an International Motor Show. That means it’s as big as those held in Paris, Detroit, Tokyo and Geneva, or is supposed to be. But in comparison it’s not. About half a dozen new cars premiered at the British Motor Show, but that’s nothing compared to the lists at Geneva and Detroit. In fact those motor shows are so big they tend to span almost a week long, as opposed to a 3 day event here (and the first day is for the press and VIPs only anyway). Also, the Motor Show tends to occur every two years, around summer time, which is a bad time because cars are usually launched at the beginning of the year or after the summer (which explains why Paris and Geneva get tons of new metal whilst Britain only got half a dozen). As a result, the media lose interest in the British Motor Show because by the time Britain has a Motor Show, most of the enigmatic new cars have already been unveiled and reported on at a different motor show, so the British show isn’t nearly as prestigious as a result.

So like I said, sour grapes. The organisers have felt a bit disheartened that their show isn’t quite as good as everyone else’s, so they’ve given up. Sorry, but I think instead of giving up they should dig deeper for a new set of balls and keep at it. Last year’s show still pulled in the crowds. I remember seeing all the metro trains at nearby stations being packed full of people all bound for the Excel centre at which it was held. The show’s turned from being a prestigious motoring event to a big event fit for a really good family day out - one that dads and sons will actually enjoy for once without having to carry their wife’s/sister’s shopping bags and pretending to be interested in whatever dreary crap they’re made to endure. And what’s wrong with that? Also for example, the Nissan GTR may well have been unveiled in Tokyo in october 2007, but it was really good for us members of the public to see it in the metal for the first time at last year’s show. The Go Karts and drifting experience was huge fun, and the unveiling of the Focus RS and Vauxhall Insignia were hugely coveted by people all over the world, which had to be good as far as media attention was concerned.

So like I said, what’s wrong with it as it is? It’s still raking in the fans, it’s still making a lot of money, and it’s still providing a brilliant summer weekend for thousands and thousands of people. If you don’t want to organise it, I would!