Vancouver Auto Show sets attendance record
Show-stoppers lure more than 120,500, up by nearly 5,000 from last year
So much for Vancouver being anticar.
Despite a shortened run due to falling on the Easter long weekend, the 2018 Vancouver International Auto Show set a new record for attendance in its 98-year history. Total attendance for this year’s fiveday edition of the show surpassed 120,500 — nearly 5,000 more than last year’s record-setting total of 115,600 that had the benefit of taking place over six days. In addition, single-day attendance approached 31,600 on Friday and more than 20,500 on Sunday — both singleday records.
“There was significant momentum associated with this event, and we are pleased to see that translate into a record level of attendance,” said Jason Heard, executive director of the Vancouver International Auto Show.
“This event signals the strength of the auto sector in British Columbia and consumers in this region desire to research their automotive purchases in an auto show environment.”
In total, more than 450 new vehicles and some of the most exciting, fastest and flashiest cars were part of the 2018 event. Not surprisingly, one of the true showstoppers of the event was the Koenisegg Agera RS, the fastest production car on the planet and owner of five current world speed records.
This year included a record number of debuts from the world’s leading automakers, including the North American debut of the BMW X4 and Canadian debuts of the Hyundai Kona electric and Toyota Corolla hatchback.
“The success of this event is a tribute to the automakers, collectors, volunteers, but most of all the car enthusiasts who make their way to the auto show each year to see what is vintage, what is new and what is next — and make this such a wonderful experience to be a part of,” said Blair Qualey, president and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of B.C., which owns and hosts the auto show. “And while this event has proven to be one of the most significant auto shows in memory, our attention and planning now turns to the 2019 event, which will be the prelude to our 100th-anniversary celebration in 2020.”
The 2019 International Auto Show is scheduled to take place at the Vancouver Convention Centre on March 19-24, 2019.