Britain cancels 2010 motor show

Britain's car industry is cancelling its showpiece exhibition in 2010 because of the economic downturn, which has savaged demand for new cars.

The British International Motor Show traditionally attracts large crowds but the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said unprecedented challenges facing the industry had made staging the event impossible for exhibitors.

"The global credit crunch has placed the automotive sector under unique pressure and has created a level of uncertainty that deters manufacturers from committing to large-scale, international events," said SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt.

The motor show is Britain's largest consumer exhibition.