Australian International Motor Show facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Australian International Motor Show |
|
|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Auto show |
| Begins | 30 April 1925 |
| Ends | 2009 |
| Frequency | Annual (1925–2009; 2025) |
| Country | Australia |
| Years active | 100 |
| Inaugurated | 30 April 1925 |
| Most recent | 5 April 2025 – 6 April 2025 |
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The Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) was a popular car show held every year in Australia. It took turns being held in two big cities: Sydney and Melbourne. Before 2010, both cities had their own separate car shows. Melbourne's show was called the Melbourne International Motor Show. Sydney's show was known as the Sydney Motor Show until 2004. After that, it became the Australian International Motor Show.
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A Look Back: The History of the Motor Show
The Melbourne International Motor Show was a very old event. It ran from 1925 all the way to 2009. This made it the longest-running car show in Australia's history! The Sydney show started as the Sydney Motor Show. In 2004, it changed its name to the Australian International Motor Show (AIMS).
AIMS was held in Sydney every year until 2008. However, a big money problem called the 2008 financial crisis happened. Not many people came to the 2008 show. Because of this, the show planned for 2009 was cancelled. The groups that organized the shows, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC), decided to work together.
On February 3, 2009, they announced a new plan. They would team up to organize one big car show. This show would switch between Melbourne and Sydney every two years. Sydney hosted the first combined show in 2010. Both cities now use the name "Australian International Motor Show" (AIMS) for their events.
Sydney's Car Shows
The Sydney Motor Show used to be held at the Sydney Showground in Moore Park. That was until 1987. Then, in 1988, the show moved to Darling Harbour. It was held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The first combined AIMS show took place in Sydney. It ran from October 15 to 24, 2010. In 2012, the show was held again in Sydney. It was from October 19 to 28 at the same convention center. This show featured more than 400 different cars!
Melbourne's Car Shows
The very first Melbourne Motor Show opened on April 30, 1925. For many years, it was held at the Royal Exhibition Building. In 1996, it moved to the new Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre in Southbank.
The 2009 show was the last one to be called the "Melbourne International Motor Show." Until 2009, the show usually happened in March. But starting in 2011, it moved to July.
The groups running AIMS announced on March 25 that the 2013 show would not happen. This show was supposed to be in Melbourne in June.
However, the Melbourne Motor Show made a comeback! It returned on April 5-6, 2025. This was after a long 15-year break.
Why the Show Stopped (for a while)
On February 25, 2014, the two groups, VACC and FCAI, announced something important. They said they were ending their joint project for the Australian International Motor Show.
Later, on May 20, 2014, VACC announced a new partnership. They teamed up with the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV). Together, they created a new event called the Australian Motoring Festival. This festival was held at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds from March 26 to 29, 2015.
Images for kids
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2008 Melbourne International Motor Show
