Plans for the British International Motor Show are steaming ahead, burying memories of the cancellation of last year’s London Motor Show. The cancellation of the 2001 event seemed a dire pronouncement on the state of the industry yet it attracted little media attention. Perhaps there are too many shows? In any case, is the traditional Motor Show becoming a thing of the past?

This year the SMMT seems cheerfully confident, particularly since the news that the 2.46 million new cars sold last year in the UK make it the second largest market in Europe - beaten only by Germany’s 3.34 million new car sales.

This autumn’s Motor Show, the fourth in a row to be sponsored by the Daily Telegraph, runs from 23rd October to 3rd November at Birmingham’s NEC, with public access from 24th October. For those who plan far in advance, tickets are already available through the web site at www.motorshow.co.uk. Visitors can save £3 by booking online, with adult tickets at £12 for public days. On the door, tickets will be £15. The exclusive preview day on 24th October, however, is more expensive: £25 in advance or £40 on the door.