One-stop opportunity to cross shop all brands
Coming off a record year for the AutoShow in 2017 with nearly 340,000 attendees passing through the Metro Toronto Convention Centre is a great way to lead into an exciting new year. This Show holds even greater promise as we set another record year for automobile sales in Canada, and manufacturers continue to lead with their best foot forward.
As the economy maintains its positive momentum, it’s great to see that once again the CIAS remains a showcase open for every manufacturer retailing cars in Canada – a status quite unique that can’t be claimed among even the largest global auto shows such as Detroit, Frankfurt or Geneva. Last year’s Show saw a third straight year of growth in consumer and media attendees, and the largest collection of new vehicle presentations and concept car reveals in over a decade.
2018 marks the 45th running of what has become an annual tradition for many automotive enthusiasts, and a must-attend event for anyone in the market for a new car in the year ahead. As technology progresses, and the options within our vehicles becomes so much more advanced, having a onestop opportunity to cross shop all brands in the market, whilst having the chance to talk to the experts about all of the new technologies on offer, has never been more important or valued by consumers.
We’re excited to be able to showcase for the first time in Canada the Koenigsegg Agera RS – the World’s Fastest Production car, among five new exhibitors joining our Auto Exotica line-up this year. Our media day activities will open with an address from the Koenigsegg’s CEO and founder Christian Von Koenigsegg, which is helping to establish the Canadian International AutoShow as a must-attend venue for supercar makers around the world.
We’re also excited to welcome several new major features to the Show in 2018 such as the celebration of 70 Years of Porsche which is being hosted on the 100 level of the North building, as well as the 50th anniversary of Hot Wheels which occupies the central display on the 700 level of the South Building. Art and the Automobile with Cobble Beach has been totally refreshed for 2018, and totally new features like our eSport Gaming Zone, Tuner Battlegrounds exhibit and electric vehicle test drive program all contribute to keeping the show fresh, and differentiate the CIAS from the other big manufacturer Shows around the world.
I look forward to working with our team to help make the 2018 Canadian International AutoShow presented by the Toronto Star and Wheels.ca an event that continues to thrive and expand during a period of great change in our industry – and builds upon its position as one of North America’s most impressive automotive events of the year.