Introduction
The Australian International Motor Show, the premier show case for the Australian automotive industry is undertaken in Sydney each year by the FCAI on behalf of its members. The 2007 Motor Show was held from 11-21 October and drew a total attendance of 245,000 visitors, a strong 10.4 per cent increase on a year earlier.
The 2007 Motor Show featured exhibits by 34 individual brands with additional displays including motorcycles; after-market products; and vintage and collectable vehicles.
The show was highlighted by seven world premieres amongst more than 50 new models unveiled on the opening day. Headliners include the world premieres of Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution X, and the new generation Toyota LandCruiser featuring new Australian-developed suspension technology. Among the other featured vehicles were a number of concept vehicles including BMW’s CS and X6 concepts; Hyundai’s Veloster; and GM Holden’s VE Commodore Sportwagon.
Visitors were also able to see first hand some of the world’s most stunning high performance and luxury sports models, including Maserati’s Gran Turismo; Lamborghini’s Murcielago LP640 Versace; and the Lotus Exige Sport 240.
A key innovation for the 2007 Motor Show was the inception of ‘the Pavillion’, extending the reach of the main vehicle exhibits into Hall 6 with displays by Volkswagen, Bentley and Skoda in its debut to the Australian market.
Elsewhere in the Show, Lexus ’intelligent park assist’ display attracted significant visitor and media attention, highlighting its ‘hands off‘ remote sensing parking technology, now available in selected Lexus models in the Australian market.
Fashion parades once again brought an added touch of glamour to the Motor Show with displays by Ruby Smallbone (Peugeot), Silence is Golden (Kia) and Zimmerman (Volkswagen).
As ever, Family Day, proved to be one of the busiest days for visitor numbers with activities and entertainment for children providing the mums and dads with a chance to take a closer look at the Motor Show highlights.
As in the past, one of the most popular features of the Show was the outdoor four-wheel drive track, sponsored by Waeco, giving visitors the opportunity to experience the performance of a range of leading sports utility vehicles over an obstacle course simulating a number of different and challenging
terrain conditions.
As usual, with one Motor Show successfully concluded, planning is well underway for the next one, with the Australian International Motor Show 2008 scheduled to be held in Sydney from 9-19 October.