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Melbourne motor show sells out

The Nissan 370Z is confirmed for the Melbourne Motor Show.

Everything from the Mitsubishi i MiEV electric city car to the super- luxury BMW 7 Series is locked and loaded for the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from February 27, but extra contenders are continuing to emerge and the organisers are still not sure of the final line-up.

The Mazda3 MPS is a secret-but-set star for the show, Subaru will have an electric contender and the all-new Nissan 370Z was confirmed earlier this week.

"I think it's going to be an interesting mix. But we still have no idea what Ford and Holden will be doing," show organiser, Russ Tyrie of the VACC, says.

"We are still waiting on Fishermans Bend and Broadmeadows. As usual, they are keeping things very close to their chest.

"The locals have managed to spring something special in the past so we're expecting a surprise from them. We just don't know what it will be."

The third Australian brand, Toyota, has already shown its hand with a giant three-storey stand which will be the first for the brand.

But the show will also be a last - at least as it has run for more than 70 years.

A single Australian International Motor Show will be run from 2010, starting in Sydney, which means there will not be another major motoring event at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre until 2011.

Details of the joint-venture show project, which joins the VACC with the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, are still being finalised and Tyrie admits he is more focussed on February 27 than anything in 2010 or beyond.

"We are very excited at the prospect of being able to stage a truly international show in 2011 in Melbourne. But that's in the future," he says.

"We have 35 exhibitors this year. And it's a sell-out for stand space.

"Obviously there is an emphasis on technology this year. That can be in electric cars, or hybrids, or diesel, or even design and lower weight and alternative energy systems.

"We're starting to see the future of the motor industry being revealed. So this will be an import show. That's why we've chose 'Revolution-Evolution' as the theme for the show this year.

Apart from the major brands, Tyrie is rounding up a range of special exhibits that will include the Carver three-wheel vehicle, a Cobra replica built in Melbourne by George Viduvic and his new line of motorcycles.

"They are called Sucker Punch Sally motorcycles. They are a retro fifties design. I reckon they could be a hit," Tyrie says.