Coventry car manufacturer Peugeot is to miss next year’s London Motor Show in favour of promoting its replacement to the 306.

Bosses have decided to spend their money elsewhere rather than run an expensive stall at the show.

This year Rover declined to go the International Motor Show at the NEC, saying that it was only visited by schoolboys and motoring journalists – neither of whom bought cars.

Peugeot Marketing Director Rod Philpot said the Ryton company would continue to support the Birmingham show, but had decided to give London a miss.

He said:

”Next year will be a very important year for Peugeot in the UK with the launch of the replacement for the hugely successful 306 range in the first half of 2001.

“We will be concentrating all our efforts into making next year’s launch one of the biggest and most important we have ever staged.

“This will involve huge financial investment and we have therefore had to act very prudently when compiling next year’s marketing budgets.

“The timing of the London Motor Show, in the second half of next year does not fit with our plans.”