Find your passion at the 2019 AutoShow
Presented by the Toronto Star and wheels.ca, the 46th Canadian International AutoShow takes place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (North and South buildings) and runs from Feb. 15 until Feb. 24.
What sets this show apart from any other major auto show around the world is the fact that every significant manufacturer selling cars in the market is represented at the event — something none of the other global shows can claim.
At the 2019 AutoShow, 18 electric vehicles from global auto manufacturers will be on display, and available for test drives in both the North and South Buildings.
Barret-Jackson, the world’s greatest collector car auction, will celebrate the Canadian collectors of muscle cars and resto-mods, and bring along four prized vehicles from the personal collection of Craig Jackson himself.
Two popular features will return this year: Art & the Automobile (in partnership with Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance) will celebrate some of the icons in the history of the automobile in a $60million showcase feature; and Auto Exotica will parade a gallery of the most exotic vehicles from around the world. The LEGO Group hosts the North American debut of its one-million-brick life-size LEGO Technic Bugatti Chiron. This fully equipped true replica of the Chiron, with rear spoiler, speedometer, front and backlights, detachable steering wheel and more actually drives at up to 30km/h! The LEGO Group’s “I Love Vehicles” Experience will also feature a LEGO vehicle showcase and play zone.
Also making its North American debut, and first global AutoShow appearance outside of Dubai, is the Devil Sixteen, a powerful, Dubai-built hypercar that will be displayed at the Auto Exotica feature. The Devil Sixteen will go into production later this year and will be available in three models.
Those looking for some Los Angeles flair will be delighted with California’s Peterson Automotive Museum, which will feature six vehicles from its collection, including famous celebrity cars, lowriders and hot rods.
Dog lovers will be thrilled with an appearance by internet sensation Mister Bentley. Presented by AutoLife.ca, Mister Bentley is a helicopter-riding, purebred English bulldog with over 300,000 Instagram followers, who will be at the AutoLife booth on Monday, Feb. 18 and Tuesday, Feb. 19.
The fastest-growing feature at the AutoShow is esports, and the AutoShow will feature an esports racing competition, in partnership with the WorldGaming Network. Visitors can experience this exciting competition at the Pfaff Forza Motorsport 7 WorldGaming Canadian Challenge, driven by Castrol, with $20,000 in cash and prizing and a chance to race with Pfaff Motorsports up for grabs.
Performance Auto & Sound Magazine will be celebrating Custom Car Battlegrounds: AutoShow Edition, a competition for modern muscle car, hot rod and lowrider enthusiasts.
The biggest beasts of the show will reside on the lower 800 level of the South Building. Seven modern and historic military vehicles from today and yesteryear will help showcase the activities of Oshawa’s Ontario Regiment Museum and the vehicles that brought victory in Europe, together with the latest of Canada’s military hardware.
The Trillium Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) booth will include information about automotive education and various pathways to careers in this exciting industry. Visitors will be able to access the CarsAndJobs.com website, learn about various roles with dealerships, enter contests and walk away with CarsAndJobs.com swag.
Several Ontario colleges will be joining the TADA throughout the week to talk about their specific programs, and the TADA booth will feature a Live Stage, delivering presentations, panels and welcoming guest speakers to talk about automotive education and careers.
Plus, the TADA and the Star will give away $50,000 towards the purchase of a new car at any TADA member dealership.
Whatever your interest in automobiles, plan to visit the 2019 AutoShow to see the automotive brands for what they are what they represent.
For more information, visit autoshow.ca.
This column represents the views and values of the TADA. Write to president@tada.ca or go to tada.ca. Susan Gubasta is president of the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association and is president/CEO of Mississauga Toyota. For information about automotive trends and careers, visit carsandjobs.com.