Visitor numbers up at 2008 British International Motor Show

The organisers of this summer’s British International Motor Show have announced that 472,300 people visited the ExCeL-based event, 14% up on 2006's 415,000 attendance.

However, it hasn’t been revealed how many of the attendees were paying customers.

The motor show hosted 23 global debuts, a total of 600 cars and 60 vehicle manufacturers. The cars on display had an estimated value of over £37 million.

Almost 6,000 visitors took on Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom Challenge, while 26,000 visitors tried Land Rover’s steep hill "ultimate challenge".

Honda generated 17% more leads than at the show than in 2006 as well as taking 30% more test drive bookings.

Peugeot increased its customer contacts by a third over 2006. Niche brands also reported success, with Norwegian electric car manufacturer Think realising an eight-fold increase in prospective UK buyers following the show.

Preparations for the next British International Motor Show in 2010 are already under way.