Subaru and Isuzu will not be attending this year's London Motor Show. Importer International Motors said it had made the decision because too many manufacturers had pulled out, denying the show any real credibility.

Daihatsu, also marketed by the IM Group, is still set to attend, although a final decision has yet to be made.

An IM spokesman said: “So many manufacturers have pulled out that the quality and quantity of visitors to the show is likely to be adversely affected. We will also save about half a million pounds by not going and if we have an opportunity to save money we will take it to fund price cuts.”

On Daihatsu's expected presence at the show, he said: “It's a new franchise to us and there's been a relaunch of the brand. The YRV small car comes out in March and as a small car producer the marque is ideally suited to the city dweller which will make up the majority of the London audience.” Other motor show defectors include Daewoo, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda.

Vauxhall will be attending. Ford has yet to decide.