ORGANISERS of next year's motor show in London say major manufacturers pulling out will not affect the event, and its future is safe.

Peugeot, the third largest car maker in the UK, announced this week that it will not be attending the show, after earlier announcements by Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT and Skoda that they will not be attending the Earl's Court event.

BMW and Mercedes-Benz have also chosen to use other ways to promote their products, although BMW's Mini brand will appear. And MG Rover decided earlier this year it would not be attending.

Rod Philpot, Peugeot marketing director, said the company's attention and financial muscle was focused around the first half of 2001 with the launch of the 306 replacement and he added: 'This will involve huge financial investment and we have therefore had to act very prudently when compiling next year's marketing budgets.'

A spokesman for BMW said: 'We have to prioritise what we spend our promotional money on and London didn't make it. However, Mini will be there, and we will be attending the show in Birmingham in 2002.'

A Mercedes-Benz spokes- man said: 'We looked at our event activity for next year and the London Motor Show wasn't the best use of our resources to target our audience.'