The move back to London for the British International Motor Show after an absence of 30 years appears to have been a success, it was revealed yesterday.
Provisional figures indicate the 13-day show at ExCel in London's Docklands last month attracted more than 411,000 people.
This was 24 per cent up on the 2004 figure for the last show at Birmingham National Exhibition Centre, where the biennial event had been held since 1978.
Rob Mackenzie, managing director of show organisers International Motor Industry Events, said: "We were presented with a huge challenge by the motor industry - to organise a successful motor show that befitted the second largest new car market in Europe.
"We embraced that challenge and hosted the most exciting and well-received motor show in a generation. Plans are already underway to build on this success story and create an even more breathtaking event in 2008."
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders chief executive Christopher Macgowan added: "Moving the motor show to London was no small step for the motor industry. But 2006 delivered a giant leap in the show's standing on the international stage."
