Vancouver International: An Auto Show For the Entire Province

by Blair Qualey on Wednesday, March 26th, 2014

In British Columbia alone, new car dealers account for more than $10 billion annually in economic activity… 

2015 Ford F-Series Super Duty

2014 Corvette Stingray

2014 Dodge Dart

The Vancouver Contention Centre will host the city’s 2014 International Auto Show.

 

 

by Blair Qualey

President of the New Car Dealers Association of BC

It’s that time of year again, when car shoppers can check out the hottest trends, latest innovations and some old classics at the 94^th annual Vancouver International Auto Show.

This year’s show, which runs from March 25 to 30 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West, promises to be a great family-friendly event with some exciting new features, following a record-breaking year for auto sales in Canada in 2013.

The show is owned and operated by the New Car Dealers Association of BC, serving as a new model showcase for the Canadian automotive industry and representing more than 30 distinct brands from the world’s leading manufacturers.

Canadians purchased a record-setting 1.74 million cars last year: a four per cent increase over 2012 and just the second time in history that the market has ever surpassed 1.7 million units.

In British Columbia alone, new car dealers account for more than $10 billion annually in economic activity. This makes it an important industry for entire province where our dealer members employ, directly and indirectly, more than 34,000 high paying, full-time people in the more than 50 communities they serve.

The show may be at the coast and therefore a little too long a drive for many readers but I would encourage you to cast your eye over show media coverage and use that material for information and ideas. Then go to visit some of our members’ dealerships where they operate an ‘auto show’ for 52 weeks a year!

For those of you who can attend be sure to participate in the Green Ride and Drive, which puts you at wheel of the latest eco-friendly vehicles. Another feature is the Exotics, which is a selection of truly exhilarating automobiles – you can dream!

Visitors at this year’s show will also get to experience a bit of automotive history at Hagerty Classic Alley, featuring beautiful cars from the 1950s and 1960s, including a special salute to the Ford Mustang and its 50^th anniversary celebration.

Two classic cars will also be auctioned off, with 100 per cent of the funds going towards two very deserving causes. The first is a 1966 Plymouth Satellite, funds from which will go towards the MS Society of Canada. The second is a 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe, profits from which will be donated to the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC.

For more information on the show visit: vancouverinternationalautoshow.com

*Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. Email him at bqualey [at] newcardealers [dot] ca.