Black Country sports car manufacturer Westfield will make its debut at the British International Motor Show’s new location with a four-vehicle display at London’s ExCel Centre next month.
The Kingswinford-based firm will also be running high-speed ‘drifting’ displays – and is also hoping to entice Welsh soul-singing sensation Duffy to take part in one of them.
Westfield boss Julian Turner knows Duffy and is hoping she will be able to find time in her busy schedule to take a high-speed trip in one of the firm’s cars.
“We have already had a lot of interest and people have been emailing us to see if they can book a place to go drifting. We are looking forward to a good show,” said Mr Turner.
Westfield, which specialises in hardcore open-top sports vehicles, will be in good company at this year’s motor show.
It is among 15 firms making their first appearance at ExCeL with debutantes including supercar marques Gumpert and Koenigsegg as well as both Ferrari and Maserati. Subaru and Suzuki are also new to the venue, as are electric vehicle specialists Quiet Cars and Tesla.
The show opens on July 23, with more than 60 manufacturers represented. Global debuts include the new Vauxhall Insignia and an all-new mid-engined 2+2 sports car from Lotus.
Ford will show the RS – the fastest and most dynamically advanced Focus ever, while Toyota’s 200bhp Aygo Crazy concept car and the 200mph Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed will be shown for the first time in the UK.
The SEAT Ibiza SportCoupé, new-look Land Rover Discovery and the Nissan Qashqai+2 are among other global firsts for the show.
Several big names will be missing from ExCeL, however.
BMW has decided not to attend but its subsidiary Mini will be there. The other notable absentees include Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche, all of whom did not attend last time either.
Marketing director Kirsty Perkinson said: “As with all international motor shows, we would love to have every brand present and are disappointed that a minority have chosen to pass up the opportunity.
“They will miss out on the chance to participate in the UK’s biggest motoring exhibition. VW, Audi and Porsche were absent last time and the show was still a great success.
“We are confident that the unrivalled line-up of marques, the stunning world and European debuts that are planned, the excitement of the numerous interactive features and the international status of the exhibition will make 2008’s show a sensational event for all.”
Perkinson anticipated that the show would surpass the success of the 2006 event, which drew over 415,000 people to ExCeL.
Tickets for the Show are available now at www.britishmotorshow.co.uk or by calling 0871 230 5588.
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