Organizers have cancelled the Melbourne Motor Show in the face of declining attendance and lackluster support from automakers. Australia has already seen shows in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth close their doors, and with Melbourne following suit, Sydney is the country's last major auto show left standing. According to reports, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and the Victorian Chamber of Commerce – the two parties behind the Melbourne expo – have plans to remake the show in the image of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, but this year's efforts were crippled when Volkswagen Group pulled its participation. Likewise, neither Hyundai nor Kia had committed to attending.
Those absences left fewer than 20 brands committed to the event despite the fact that the Australian market plays host to nearly 60 makes. Melbourne has seen attendance fall from a high of 257,000 visitors in 2004 to 160,000 in 2011. Likewise, attendance at the Sydney show has slide from a peak of 320,000 in 2001 to just 135,050 last year, and organizers had already moved to consolidate the two events under a joint-venture that would see both shows operate under the Australian International Motor Show moniker. See the official press notice on the cancellation below.
Those absences left fewer than 20 brands committed to the event despite the fact that the Australian market plays host to nearly 60 makes. Melbourne has seen attendance fall from a high of 257,000 visitors in 2004 to 160,000 in 2011. Likewise, attendance at the Sydney show has slide from a peak of 320,000 in 2001 to just 135,050 last year, and organizers had already moved to consolidate the two events under a joint-venture that would see both shows operate under the Australian International Motor Show moniker. See the official press notice on the cancellation below.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 25 March 2013
Media Statement
AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW JOINT VENTURE CONFIRMS 2013 CANCELLATION
The Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) Joint Venture today confirmed that the 2013 Australian International Motor Show scheduled for Melbourne in June, will not proceed. "We have made the decision to not proceed with this year's Show based on a consensus view of the Automotive Industry to focus limited marketing budgets in 2013 on firm specific activities rather than an industry based Motor Show." said Russ Tyrie, Event Director, Australian International Motor Show.
The Joint Venture expects there will be a pause in Motor Show activity as they explore options for future Shows in Australia. "In not proceeding with the Show in 2013, Australia is following a global trend that has been apparent for several years, where cities do not always have a Motor Show. This trend is evident in the recent suspension of Motor Shows in London, Zagreb and Amsterdam."
Decisions on future Shows, including 2014, will be made by the AIMS Joint Venture Committee based on market research and exploring opportunities as to how this event can best meet the needs of the industry and the public.
ABOUT THE AIMS JOINT VENTURE:
The AIMS Joint Venture was formed in 2009 when the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, the organising body of the Australian International Motor Show held in Sydney and the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce, the organisers of the Melbourne International Motor Show agreed to merge to organise and manage future shows. Under the Joint Venture, the Motor Show was to be shared in alternate years between Melbourne and Sydney, which commenced with Sydney in October 2010 followed by Melbourne in 2011 and Sydney 2012.
Media Statement
AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW JOINT VENTURE CONFIRMS 2013 CANCELLATION
The Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) Joint Venture today confirmed that the 2013 Australian International Motor Show scheduled for Melbourne in June, will not proceed. "We have made the decision to not proceed with this year's Show based on a consensus view of the Automotive Industry to focus limited marketing budgets in 2013 on firm specific activities rather than an industry based Motor Show." said Russ Tyrie, Event Director, Australian International Motor Show.
The Joint Venture expects there will be a pause in Motor Show activity as they explore options for future Shows in Australia. "In not proceeding with the Show in 2013, Australia is following a global trend that has been apparent for several years, where cities do not always have a Motor Show. This trend is evident in the recent suspension of Motor Shows in London, Zagreb and Amsterdam."
Decisions on future Shows, including 2014, will be made by the AIMS Joint Venture Committee based on market research and exploring opportunities as to how this event can best meet the needs of the industry and the public.
ABOUT THE AIMS JOINT VENTURE:
The AIMS Joint Venture was formed in 2009 when the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, the organising body of the Australian International Motor Show held in Sydney and the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce, the organisers of the Melbourne International Motor Show agreed to merge to organise and manage future shows. Under the Joint Venture, the Motor Show was to be shared in alternate years between Melbourne and Sydney, which commenced with Sydney in October 2010 followed by Melbourne in 2011 and Sydney 2012.
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