Cape Town Motor Show officially launched

The CTMS was officially launched last week at a glittering affair at the Sun GrandWest Entertainment World and was attended by members of the SA Guild of Motoring Journalists, other press, celebrities, motor industry participants and principles and delegates from both the City of Cape Town and Cape Town Tourism.

The inaugural CTMS will take place from 27 to 29 January 2017 at the Sun GrandWest in association with The City of Cape Town. Show organisers are promising an event with broad appeal to all car and bike buffs, petrolheads and the entire family.

Cape Town – an events capital

SA comedian and car-buff himself, Kurt Schoonraad kicked the evening off welcoming all to the launch. Other speakers involved included former mayoral member heading up Tourism, events and economic development for the City of Cape Town, Garreth Bloor, who had been involved in getting the City involved with the CTMS. Bloor was enthusiastic about the show saying "Events like these show we have a massive community of petrol heads and motor enthusiasts right here in our city‎. The potential to create international events for motor enthusiasts from around the world shouldn't be underestimated, given Cape Town's growing status as Africa's events capital.''

Exhibitions will include: multiple world- and South African introductions; a complete range of domestic and imported passenger cars, bikes and trucks; sport utility vehicles; and experimental or concept cars. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to see numerous accessories and auto-related exhibits, competition vehicles, antique and collector cars, engine modifications (pimped-up rides), Sound-Off Beats competitions, virtual simulations, car wrapping, drifting, a large 4X4 outside area, live music and more.

Organisers are expecting an audience of more than 35,000 over the three days. The show will span the length and breadth of the Sun GrandWest Entertainment World, including the Market Hall, Grand Arena, the Sun Exhibit area, the Sun Garden area, outdoor 4X4 areas, drifting zone, bike zone, and Classic and Vintage car displays.

Stimulating local economy

Cape Town’s executive mayor Patricia de Lille was represented by a number of her council and sent these words of encouragement and congratulations to the CTMS, “I believe that Cape Town is ready to embrace a motor show of our own that can rival international equivalents. I am pleased to see that this is being planned as a family-oriented event that will attract tens of thousands of people over the 3-day period, bringing motor enthusiasts from throughout Cape Town and surrounds to enjoy the show.

"The CTMS will also stimulate the local economy by creating jobs through sales, set builds and the involvement of all the national car manufacturers and event professionals from the first show onwards. It is commendable that CTMS will also be giving back to the community by supporting the Mannenberg Upliftment project and the Cities Rescue Services, and as well as inviting school children from key areas to attend the show free of charge on the first day of the Show.”

Other speakers on the evening included the MD of the CTMS, George Sharp, the CEO of Cape Town Tourism, Enver Duminy and Gerrie Smit, the honorary secretary of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists (SAGMJ) and who was also representing the annual award of the SA Car of The Year 2017. Master of ceremonies for the evening, Robbie Stammers, urged everyone to keep an eye out on the press and across social media platforms as the CTMS will be revealing different activations, partners and motor vehicle surprises that will take place at the show over the next few months.

Visit the dedicated website for more info.