The U.S. auto industry closed out 2016 on a surprisingly strong note, with a strong December helping push annual sales to a record level. And while sales could slow a bit in 2017, there’s no doubt the industry is hot.
It’s against that backdrop that the Toledo Auto Show roars back into town.
The show, which opens on Thursday, promises visitors everything from hybrids to high performance and Detroit muscle to Italian imports. Organizers say they don’t yet have a final tally on the number of vehicles to be displayed, though they expect the number to be somewhere around 200.
“It’s a giant tire kicking event in that people can save lots of time by going down there and checking out what’s available all in one spot,” said Dave White, Jr., president of Dave White Chevrolet.
Most of those vehicles to be on display are in showrooms now. It’s been quite some time since the Toledo show attracted any true concept vehicles and generally automakers don’t bring a lot of yet-to-be released cars or trucks.
However, there is expected to be at least one exception this year.
When: Thursday 3 to 9 p.m.; Friday noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Seagate Convention Centre, 401 Jefferson Ave.
Tickets: $7 (or $5 if bought online); students $5; children under 10 free; Senior Day Friday, $5.
Information: toledoautoshow.org
A Jeep spokesman told The Blade on Monday that the all new 2018 Compass was expected to appear. The Compass, which was first shown in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show, won’t go on sale until later this year.
Though it’s only days away, most automakers haven’t confirmed exactly what models they’ll be bringing. So far, only Chevrolet, Lexus, GMC, and Toyota have released full details. Even so, organizers say 23 different brands will be represented.
Organizers are also bringing a number of classic vehicles, including a 1917 Willys from the Stahls Automotive Foundation museum in Chesterfield, Mich. Also on display is a vintage plaque presented to two Toledo car dealers who helped put on the 1917 Toledo auto show.
The show, which is held in the Seagate Convention Centre, runs through Sunday.
Toyota and Fiat Chrysler are both returning with ride-and-drive events that give visitors a chance to take one of their new models for a spin around town. Last year was the first Toledo Auto Show to offer that.
Chevrolet, meanwhile, is giving visitors a chance to take a vehicle home. Northwest Ohio Chevy Dealers are giving away a two-year lease on a 2017 Chevy Cruze hatchback.
People can enter for the giveaway at any Northwest Ohio Chevy dealer or at the auto show. The winner will be drawn between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday at the show, and officials say the winner must be present.
New this year is a interactive distracted-driving simulator from Maria’s Message, a Columbus-based organization trying to end teen distracted driving.
The show’s festivities kick off Wednesday with the annual “The Cars are the Stars” charity preview gala.
“It’s the car dealers’ opportunity to give back to the community. We’re definitely main street businesses, we make our living from the people in northwest Ohio. The stronger our community is the more our businesses thrive, so we’ve always taken this as an opportunity to give back to the community and try to make it stronger,” Mr. White said.
The event, now in its 13th year, has raised $1.7 million for 44 different children’s charities. Organizers have selected six charities this year: Make-A-Wish Foundation, Baby University, Imagination Station Adopt-A-School-Program, the Historic South Initiative, Read for Literacy & Claire’s Day, and the Erie Shores Council of Boy Scouts of America.
Contact Tyrel Linkhorn at tlinkhorn@theblade.com or 419-724-6134.
First Published January 24, 2017, 5:00 a.m.
