Hot yachts and star cars to add glamour to Motor Show

Luxury boats will be lining up alongside motoring exotica at this year’s British International Motor Show when the event opens on 23 July at ExCeL London, following the announcement that marine event organisation National Boat Shows (NBS) is partnering with the UK’s biggest and best-loved automotive exhibition to stage the ‘Marine Experience’.

Building on the success of the multi-award-winning Motor Show in 2006, the new partnership will see NBS taking full advantage of ExCeL London’s scenic waterfront setting, to showcase a wide variety of craft, from power to sail, from dinghies to multi-million-pound yachts and luxury cruisers.

The vessels will be positioned adjacent to the Show’s ‘Heritage Enclosure’, which will present a dazzling collection of supercars and sportscars from the last 50 years. To complement the displays, the dockside exhibition will play host to an exciting, on-water entertainment programme, with demonstrations running for the duration of the Show.

Rob Mackenzie, imie managing director, said: “This strategic tie-up represents a natural synergy between the worlds of motoring and sailing, and we’re delighted NBS is on-board for this summer. Boats are the perfect complement to the British International Motor Show, and ExCeL London’s waterfront setting provides the ideal backdrop.”

Andrew Williams, Managing Director for National Boat Shows, said: "This is a great opportunity for the marine industry to showcase itself in an amazing on-water location at a great time of the year, bringing boating to a whole new audience. It is also at a perfect time to promote our Southampton and London Shows which follow soon afterwards.

“Support from key members of the marine industry has been extremely positive and we will be working hard to deliver another outstanding marine showcase in the UK."

The British International Motor Show is the UK’s largest consumer exhibition. Over 550,000 visitors are expected to attend the Show in 2008, to see 60 vehicle manufacturers displaying 600 models, including a number of world debuts.

Tickets for the Show are now on sale, with prices starting at just £10 for an adult weekday pass and £6 for a child’s ticket. A weekday family ticket will admit two adults and two children, and costs only £25. Tickets are available through the Show’s all-new website at britishmotorshow.co.uk or by calling 0871 230 5588.