2009 Sydney Motor Show Axed

News surfacing round the parish pump is that the 2009 Sydney Motor Show is to be axed. There will be just one International Motor Show in Australia next year, and that will be in Melbourne. The organisers of the Sydney Motor Show, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers (FCAI) and Victoria's VACC, who organise the Melbourne Motor Show, are reportedly close to agreement on a joint venture deal for the running of both events.

What this will mean is that the resulting JV will run both Motor Shows, alternating year about: in Melbourne one year, Sydney the next - much as occurs with the Frankfurt and Paris shows in Europe. It will also mean that, after next year's Melbourne Motor Show, a new date will be found, quite likely in the middle of the year, suitable for both shows and venues.

This news follows the cancellation of the 2009 Brisbane and Adelaide Motor Shows. At issue is the reluctance of manufacturers and importers to commit to the huge cost of staging motor show displays a number of times a year in the small Australian market. Many, as occurred in Sydney last year, have simply pulled the pin and refused to come to the party. They have now got the "one event a year" many have been pressing for.

For motor show fans, it means that car makers and importers will have just one major event to focus on annually, so the displays and concept vehicles should be truly special. It will give Australia a genuine International Motor Show. So all good? What do you think?