End of AIMS joint venture

In a statement released today, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industriesd (FCAI), organisers of the Sydney event, and the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC), hosts of the Melbourne show, said they had mutually agreed to end their joint venture partnership.

Both the VACC and FCAI agreed that the time is right to develop a new-look motor event, thus rendering redundant the existing business arrangement between the two organisations. The VACC added that a "motoring festival" for the Victorian capital in 2015 is already in advanced development.

The Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) joint venture was created by the two parties back in 2009; a single, international, automotive industry Show, alternating between the two cities. Under the joint venture, AIMS was held in Sydney in 2010 and 2012 and Melbourne in 2011.

"VACC has enjoyed working with the FCAI on the Australian International Motor Show. The relationship was extremely productive and cordial. Organising two major annual Motor Shows in two cities had become unsustainable and, after reviewing the business models, and agreeing to work together, we produced an internationally recognised event," VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said.

"The FCAI thanks VACC for its support throughout our Joint Venture partnership. We look forward to continuing to work together to promote the Australian automotive industry and represent the interests of Australia's automotive manufacturers and importers," FCAI Chief Executive, Tony Weber, said.

The cessation of the joint venture does not spell the end of Motor Shows in Australia. Plans are at an advanced stage for a motoring event in Melbourne in 2015. The event will include manufacturers and importers, and also motoring clubs, vehicle displays and exhibitions. It will be dynamic and interactive and provide audience participation at a suitable venue where visitors can test drive a range of makes and models.

Both parties advised that further news on the new-look motoring events will be released in due course.