Where To Choose Your New Car

Until fairly recently, one of the best places to start your selection of a new car would have been to visit a motor exhibition and see new cars and shortlist the models that you were interested in. In the UK the British International Motor Show was held regularly between 1903 and 2008 at a variety of venues, perhaps most famously at Earl's Court. It moved to the NEC in Birmingham in 1976 and stayed there until it moved back to London and the ExCel Centre for 2006 and 2008. Unfortunately, the shows for 2010 and 2012 were cancelled due to the recession.

The British show, like all the major motor shows around the world is recognised by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, a federation of automobile manufacturers, based in Paris, founded in 1919. Other shows in Europe recognised by the organisation are still active and are well worth visiting, especially if you are based nearby.

Perhaps the most famous is The International Geneva Motor Show held annually in March in Switzerland. The event was first held in 1905 and has thrived ever since, even though Switzerland has no automotive industry of its own and has banned motor racing since 1955.

While exotic cars and concept vehicles often steal the headline, manufacturers from around the world launch their latest models in Geneva, so it is a fantastic place to compare new cars.

Most other shows are biennial events. The Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany is the largest in the world and is held in odd numbered years during September. German makers such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes and VW usually use it to launch their new models. The organisers do run an event in even numbered years in Hanover, but this is for commercial vehicles only.

The Brussels Motor Show is held in even numbered years in January. In 2012 it attracted nearly 600,000 visitors. Across the border in the Netherlands, AutoRAI organise the Amsterdam Motor Show in odd numbered years. The next show is due in April 2013.

The Madrid International Motor Show in Spain takes place at the end of May in alternate years. The next event is in 2014, while in odd numbered years the Spanish event takes place in Barcelona. Naturally, this show will usually see new model launches from the local car manufacturer SEAT.

Later in the year, the Paris Motor Show takes place at the end of September and the beginning of October, but only in even numbered years. Over one and a quarter million people visitors attended the last show in 2010, making it the most popular of the large international motor exhibitions.

To end the year you can visit the Italian Motor Show held during December in Bologna.

Back in the UK, petrol heads without a local show to indulge their love of cars at can instead opt for what has become known as the 'Moving Motor Show' at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Held in the grounds of Goodwood House, this annual hill-climb event is a true celebration of motor sport and all things automotive. As well as Formula 1 cars and some of the world's most amazing supercars in static displays and whizzing up the hill, an extensive display of the latest models from many of the world's top car manufacturers can be found in the dedicated exhibition area.

Rising exhibition costs for manufacturers and easier access to vehicle information via dealers and the Internet may eventually bring an end to all but the largest and most popular motor shows. Web information certainly makes it easier nowadays to shortlist the cars that you can afford, or are interested in knowing more about. The final step is to talk to someone who can supply the car you're looking for at a good price, preferably with a discount. That's something you would be most unlikely to get at a large motor show!

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