Sydney show set to shine

THIS year's Sydney Motor Show is set to offer visitors more new vehicles than ever before, with five new brands and up to 50 additional vehicles joining the display at the Exhibition Centre on Darling Harbour.

New exhibitors already confirmed for the show, which runs from October 12-21, include Daewoo, Mini, Morgan, Renault and Aprilia, with Morgan and Renault returning to the Australian market after absences of several years. It will also be the first time Aprilia has exhibited in its own right at any Australian motor show.

New models are expected from Citroen, Daewoo, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Lexus, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Toyota, and Volkswagen, as well as Holden with its long-awaited Monaro coupe, while a record number of revised and upgraded models will also be on display.

The show will also mark the Australian sales launch of the new Mini, which will be displayed as a separate brand from parent company BMW.

An expanded motorcycle exhibit will feature eight motorcycle brands, displayed together in a complete hall of their own for the first time.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, the body who runs the show each year, is promising a high-octane exhibition for motorcycle fans.

"Up to 10 per cent of the motor show's attendance is drawn primarily by the motorcycle displays," FCAI chief executive Peter Sturrock said.

"We are making an increased effort to give those show-goers even better value for money." Speaking of value for money, the organisers have kept admission prices for the event the same level as last year.

The Sydney Motor Show is now considered to be the most important auto industry show in the southern hemisphere, with more manufacturers recognising its growing stature and debuting their new models here.