Oo-la-la car fest

It seems utterly crazy that Britain, one of the Europe's biggest consumers of new cars, cannot sustain an international motor show but France, Germany and Switzerland can. Every spring the Geneva Motor Show is staged, and in the autumn Paris and Frankfurt alternative as hosts of major car exhibitions.

Tomorrow is the press day of the Paris Motor Show, and I flew here this afternoon ready for all the action of new model unveilings. Activity kicked off tonight with a dramatic reveal of the new Kia Sorento, with its distinctive tiger nose grille, stunningly displayed against a backdrop of the city skyline.

It was a beautiful day in the French capital, and the sun turned into a vivid orange orb as it sunk below the horizon. It cast a warm glow across the city. Tomorrow will be a long day, involving miles of walking around the vast showground to visit all the stands and view all the new cars. It is notoriously hard on the feet. I hope mine last the course!