A spokesman for the...

A spokesman for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which stages the event, told Auto Express: "Everything is up for grabs - and that includes the venue." The news will be a blow to the thousands of Midlands companies which get a massive profits boost when the bi-annual expo is on.

The city most likely to benefit is London, but the show is unlikely to go to the dated Earls Court site. Industry insiders are tipping the modern ExCeL facility in Docklands as the event"s new home.

Opened in 2000, it has 65,000m2 of exhibition space - although that"s less than a third of the NEC"s. ExCeL"s current big floor-filler is the annual Boat Show, which brought in 213,000 people last January. May"s British Motor Show at the NEC attracted 461,000. It has been the event"s home since 1978.

The SMMT spokesman continued: "At this stage, three months after the end of the last show, we"ve got no deal for 2006." That"s because the society used to have a rolling contract with the NEC, which meant two or three events were always signed up in advance. "This was not a satisfactory arrangement for us because it meant there was no choice, and the deal hasn"t now been renewed," said the spokesman.

He added that visitors had liked this year"s new "live action" motor show format, but that the SMMT still had to decide if it was right for exhibitors. "We"ll continue to consult the industry to ensure a 2006 event presents an attractive format held at the most appropriate venue," the spokesman told us.

Toyota GB has used ExCeL for dealer conventions and launches. "It was very effective. Based on its size, it could be a venue for future motor shows," said commercial director Paul Philpott.