The British International Motor Show is an annual motor show held by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders between 1903 and 2008 in England, and as The British Motor Show since 2021 by Automotion Events. Initially held in London at The Crystal Palace,

Olympia The name Olympia may refer to: Arts and entertainment Film * ''Olympia'' (1938 film), by Leni Riefenstahl, documenting the Berlin-hosted Olympic Games * ''Olympia'' (1998 film), about a Mexican soap opera star who pursues a career as an athlet ...

and then the Earls Court Exhibition Centre, it moved to the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham in 1978, where it stayed until 2004. It was held at

ExCeL London ExCeL London (an abbreviation for Exhibition Centre London) is an exhibition centre, international convention centre and former hospital in the Custom House, Newham, Custom House area of London Borough of Newham, Newham, East London. It is sit ...

in 2006 and 2008 and now based in Farnborough (Hampshire) at the airport exhibition centre. The 2010 and 2012 events were cancelled due to the global financial crisis. Between 2016 and 2019 there were annual motor shows held under the London Motor Show banner. The show returned in 2021 to Farnborough under the banner of The British Motor Show and was the first international motor show event to take place after the lifting of coronavirus measures. The event recorded 45,000 visitors in its first year returning, and proceeded to grow to almost 60,000 visitors in 2022 The British Motor Show is committed to a presence at Farnborough until at least 2025 and will now become an annual event as opposed to its previous bi-annual format.

History

Britain's first motor show—for horseless carriages—was held in South Kensington in 1896 at the Imperial Institute under the auspices of Lawson's Motor Car Club. The first British Motor Show organised by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) was held at The Crystal Palace, London in 1903, the same year that the speed limit was raised from to by the Motor Car Act 1903 and two years before the formation of The AA. In 1905, it moved to Olympia, London, where it was held for the next 32 years before moving to the Earls Court Exhibition Centre from 1937 until 1976, except for the period of World War II during which time there were no shows. From 1978 until 2004, it was held every second year at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham, with the 2004 event being held in May, rather than the traditional October, to avoid a clash with the Paris Motor Show. The 1980 event was attended by both the actor Lewis Collins and the stand-up comedian Stewart Lee. The July 2006 and July 2008 shows were held at

. The 2010 and 2012 shows were cancelled due to the global financial crisis. Between 2016 and 2019 there were annual motor shows held under the London Motor Show banner. Britain returned to the international motor show stage in 2021 with The British Motor Show held at Farnborough International.

Locations

Earls Court

The cars listed are those announced in the late summer lead up to the show or during it. Manufacturers did announce other cars at times to suit them and as that practice grew the public lost interest and the motor show finished its long run in the middle of the 1970s.

Birmingham

ExCeL

References and notes

SMMT history including that of the motor show
* – Source of show locations and dates

External links

Archived website of the British Motor Show
{{Authority control Auto shows in the United Kingdom Automotive industry in the United Kingdom 1903 establishments in England Recurring events established in 1903 2008 disestablishments in England Recurring events disestablished in 2008