Melbourne motor show axed, Sydney under a cloud

[BroadyFord]

Damn... :(

Melbourne motor show axed, Sydney under a cloud


http://www.carsguide.com.au/news-and..._under_a_cloud

The Melbourne motor show has been axed for the first time since World War II.
Australians might be treating themselves to a record number of new cars but we no longer want to pay to go and look at them.

The Melbourne motor show has been axed for the first time since World War II -- and next year’s Sydney motor show is hanging in the balance.

The news comes less than three months before Melbourne was due to host its first motor show in two years after alternating with Sydney since 2009.

The two shows had joined forces and agreed to alternate annually in an attempt to combat falling attendances and rising exhibitor costs.

“We have made the decision not to proceed based on the consensus view of the auto industry to focus limited marketing budgets on specific activities rather than an industry motor show”, Russ Tyrie, event director of the
Australian International Motorshow, told News Limited this morning.

Motor shows have suffered globally as new-car shoppers do most of their research online before they buy.

Car makers have also become increasingly concerned about the rising cost of floorspace in exhibition centres, with many opting to use the money in more targeted marketing campaigns.

“The exhibitor costs were getting out of hand and there are better and more effective ways to spend the money,” said one car company executive who wished to remain anonymous.

The going rate for floorspace, the elaborate stands and the people to work a motor show for up to 10 days was close to $2 million for each of the big brands, said one insider.

In 2008 Mercedes-Benz rented the Mount Panorama race circuit for an entire week for less than it would cost to exhibit at the Sydney show. It invited VIP guests for track test drives and says it sold more cars than it would have done at the motor show.

Another year, the absence of sportscar maker Porsche prompted the headline: “Motor show without Porsche is like a pub with no beer”.

At last year’s Sydney show Ford ambushed rival car makers by building a mega outdoor site designed to intercept customers before they made it to the front door. Ford had planned to do the same at the Melbourne motor show in June.

At its peak in 2001, when the new Holden Monaro was unveiled, the Sydney motor show had 320,000 visitors through the turnstiles. Last year just 135,500 people attended, the second lowest result in the past decade.

By comparison, the Melbourne motor show saw 160,000 visitors in 2011 -- but this was well down from the peak of 257,000 visitors in 2004.

Meanwhile both the Melbourne and Sydney motor shows were struggling to attract car makers -- even after they began to alternate annually.

The last Melbourne and Sydney motor shows attracted just 27 car brands each -- less than half of those on sale. News Limited undersands only 20 brands had signed up for this year’s Melbourne show.

The Sydney motor show was due to move to the Homebush Bay Olympic site in August 2014 while the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre closes for renovations. But those plans are now under review.

“Decisions on future shows will be made by the committee based on market research and exploring opportunities as to how this event can best meet the needs of the industry and the public,” Tyries said.

The Melbourne motor show had been running since 1925 but was not held for three years during the Great Depression (1930 to 1932) and for eight years during and after World War II (1941 to 1948).

Melbourne motor show attendance numbers:

Peak: 257,000 (2004)
2008: 240,000 (last time Sydney and Melbourne shows are held the same year)
2009: 193,755
2010: (no event, joint venture with Sydney)
2011: 160,000
2012: (no event, joint venture with Sydney)

Sydney motor show attendance numbers:

Peak: 320,000 (2001)
2008: 137,000 (the last time Sydney and Melbourne shows were held the same year)
2009: (no event, joint venture with Melbourne)
2010: 124,000
2011: (no event, joint venture with Melbourne)
2012: 135,050

[BroadyFord]

.....

[Mighty Reds]

Holden would be annoyed you would think, the VF would have been given a lot of coverage.

[GQ_Smooth]

Makes perfect sence, you could do a national advertising campaign for the price of a properly setup large exhibition stand.

Can't get away with 1/2 a$$ed exhibitions anymore, if you're in it, you need to be one of the best.

[Polyal]

Thats really a shame, ever since I was old enough to catch the train into the city myself I went to every show. But if its not turning a profit its hard to justify, mind you Id love to know how car companies (business in general) actually calaculate how advertsing and shows directly correlate to sales because its a big ask to expect a spike in sales because your at a show or run one particular campgain; surely its a combination of things.

Regardless, its a sign of the times, its not getting pretty. Agreed if your not in it 100% then you are wasting yoru time. I used to go just to perve on the Ferrari's, Porchses etc.

[t_holt69]

In the past the shows were all bout concept cars and things that may or may not even be made, but the shows turned into nothing more than a display for their current stock, I dont want to pay to see what I can in their showrooms... another thing that gets me, is that Melbournes numbers were well above Sydney's the whole time, so why would melbourne be cancelled first??

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by t_holt69

In the past the shows were all bout concept cars and things that may or may not even be made, but the shows turned into nothing more than a display for their current stock, I dont want to pay to see what I can in their showrooms... another thing that gets me, is that Melbournes numbers were well above Sydney's the whole time, so why would melbourne be cancelled first??

Very good points all round, certainly miss Ford doing something special.

At the end of the day we are at the backside end of the world, our market is good but not that good so all the big boys would be spending a fair bit of $$ shipping stuff here for a week or so.

But yeah, seeing out there concepts was the best thing about it.

[Mighty Reds]

Over the last few times I have been I have noticed that it feels more like a very large car dealership than a motor show.

[BroadyFord]

This also means Graziano is probably relieved that he can avoid being put on the spot by a throng of journos regarding Ford's post-2016 plans.

Let the uncertainty continue!

[Joe5619]

That is a shame; I was looking forward to some more 2014 Falcon teasers. Hopefully the Sydney one continues.

[strobe]

I was disappointed with it last year, we went because we were tossing up getting a new car. What a great way to do it, check out some cool stuff and get info on some things we were actually interested in. Except there wasn't much cool stuff, and in most cases there was no interest from the companies to "sell" their product to us. Should have just driven out to the dealerships.

[Wretched]

used to go religiously until probably 4 years ago (or whenever the Veyron was here) when the cost vs what you got to see and sample was simply not worth it.
I could get just as much information (more probably considering the lack of knowledge many staff at the shows had) from magazines or the internet and then if i wanted to i could go to a dealership and sample the car for free.
I'm not sorry to see the shows go. There are far better ways each manufacturer could spend the $$.

[The Yeti]

I havent been to one since 02, it didnt interest me, you might as well go to a multi brand dealer ship,

nothing their made me say wow and found it all very multi car dealership in its set up

[ryeman]

And if yr product is not a segment killer, would you want to fund a visual confirmation/demonstration of the fact?

[superfly]

I used to go every year until they axed it in Brisbane. I always enjoyed it but I can understand why they can't continue with it anymore.

[Silver Ghia]

How one can evaluate what its like sitting behind the wheel in the various makes and models and comparing between them under the one roof, the only place where this could be done was at the motor show. Without being harassed by sales people. And this cannot be done online, I prefer looking at the actual vehicle and sitting in it.

I used to go to the Melbourne motor show each March and looked forward to going, preferably earlier in the week when it was a bit quieter. Jumping in the cars and evaluating which models had what and what I wanted in my next car. But they didn't hold it in 2010 in Melbourne, then I lost the desire to attend in 2011.

It was the 2008 motor show when the FG was first shown and I was excited seeing the all the various new Falcon FG models and studying the new design. That was when I decided an XR6 would be most desirable with useful high series equipment such as dual zone a/c, with manual transmission but with the black centre console like in the GT's, rather than silver. I finally got that combination when the XR50 was announced a couple of years later.

[mik]

That is a shame, i can remember years ago when i was a young buk , our dealership got the job of getting the new fords into the exhibition buildings, the new model back then was the xc falcon, it was a lot of work, every car had to have the fuel drained before entering the main pavilion and run completely out of fuel till the motor stopped, i was wrapped to be a part of it.
Just another example how simple things like shows, showrooms, services are slowly disappearing due to cost imo, no one want`s to pay.

[The Yeti]

Personaly Sydney lost alot of its pazaz when it moved from Moor Park to Darling Harbour

that was an awsome show, actual 4WD course, all the big guys had their own pavilion

when it went to the conventions center it was just another thing at the convention center

[Nikked]

Bugger, the Melbourne Motor show would have been a good launch for the FU falcon...

[TC200six]

I miss the days when there was a Brisbane motor show. What fun it was to sit inside the new BF Falcons at the time.

Don't think we'll be seeing that again.

[Archilino]

The VACC President on radio today siaid its only a one off cancelation and he fully expects there to be another Melbourne motorshow in 2 years time.

[Polyal]

Any explaination as to why?

[Smoke Pursuit]

What a joke!!

Oh well... Most people buy their cars off the internet now.... The first time they see and touch the car is the day they go to pick it up.

Sign of the times, in 10 years time dealerships wont need forecourts or paddocks with cars on display. Just a small showroom / delivery area with some big warehouse out in the back blocks preparing them for delivery.

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

What a joke!!

Oh well... Most people buy their cars off the internet now.... The first time they see and touch the car is the day they go to pick it up.

Sign of the times, in 10 years time dealerships wont need forecourts or paddocks with cars on display. Just a small showroom / delivery area with some big warehouse out in the back blocks preparing them for delivery.

I think the Mazda roadshow is the future model for brands. They have car transporters of every model they make going around to all the rural and country dealers who can't stock all the models/variations. You visit the local dealer and drive whatever cars in the range interest you, when the roadshow is in town. No pressure, no hard sell. Come back and see your local dealer when you are ready to buy.

Its bloody brilliant as you can try any and all models that might interest you back to back. The staff they send with the cars, also happen to know the cars, which makes a change from the usual new car sales staff.

I think this model would work brilliantly for Ford, especially now that many dealers have cut back stock and model choices.

As for new car sales online - inevitable.

The franchise holders seem to be in self denial over this one. I say denial, because many aren't doing anything to stop making the thought of cutting them out of the loop, anything but appealing to customers and manufacturers.

[naddis01]

The Mazda Roadshow got cancelled years ago.

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by naddis01

The Mazda Roadshow got cancelled years ago.

Bugger. I guess now they pretty much own the private market, they figured they didn't have to anymore.

[Resurrection]

Melbourne is the home of the Australian automotive industry. Sydney should be axed, not Melburne. All the rot started about two decades ago when Sydney changed the show name from the "Sydney Motor Show" to the "Australian International Motor Show" and as a result stole top billing.

[naddis01]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

Bugger. I guess now they pretty much own the private market, they figured they didn't have to anymore.

I think it was cancelled due to cost, but you are right, it is an excellent concept. In fact, we bought our Mazda 3 that we had because of the Roadshow in 2004. We weren't planning on buying for another 6 months or so but they had the colour in the model we wanted so we bought. Otherwise it was going to be a long wait at that stage because of the waiting list they had.

[Bossxr8]

Such a shame. I always looked forward to going.

[Yellow_Festiva]

If it doesn't run, will another event take its place? Or will the venue stand empty?

What is the cost for a family to visit the show?? Have they shot themselves in the foot by overcharging for stands that then gets passed onto entry tickets??

I worked at the Entertainment Centre several years ago. I quit after 2 days. The catering side of things was a bloody expensive joke, I couldn't stare another parent in the eye and charge them almost $35 for some drinks and pizza for 3 kids.

I don't think it's about seeing the stuff online either as opposed to real life. People still want to go out for the day, buy lunch, see, touch, sit in a bunch of cars and enjoy themselves. When that experience gets too expensive you just find something else to do.

Just found 2012 prices. $50 for a family isn't all that much actually, $22 for Adults is a little on the high side, but not overly so IMO...