The Seoul Motor Show 2005 will be the largest exhibition of its kind in history with 148 multinational automakers expressing an intention to participate in the show.

The organizing committee for the global auto fair said that 30 finished car producers and 118 auto parts companies from 10 nations have submitted applications.

The exhibition will run for nine days from Apr. 30 next year at the Korea International Exhibition Center, currently under construction in Koyang city, north of Seoul.

Eight domestic carmakers are expected to join the global fair, including Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors, GM Daewoo Auto & Technology, Ssangyong Motor, Renault Samsung Motors, Proto Motors, Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle and Daewoo Bus.

Foreign auto giants such as BMW, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, GM and Ford are scheduled to participate in the show, the committee said.

However, the Heavy Duty Commercial Vehicle Committee under the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Korea said last Monday it will not participate in the motor show as the show will be passenger-oriented and the organizers had not been cooperative.

- Source from The Korea Times (Jul 11,2004) -