Alternative Energy Joins High Tech & High Performance For The Attention of 2008

Alternative Energy Joins High Tech & High Performance For The Attention of 2008 WAS Visitors[I] 2008 WAS Attendance Matches 2007 Record[/I]

“Dealers, salespeople and managers are reminded at a huge show like this how many thousands of people are still in love with new cars and trucks, which is a very renewing experience,” said John M. Ourisman of the recently concluded Washington Auto Show which he chaired. “We’re also gratified with the global focus of this auto show, which continues to position itself as the public policy show on the industry circuit,” he said.

Commenting on show attendance, WAS Manager Bob Yoffe confirmed that the 2008 WAS may have inched ahead of 2007 that would make this year’s auto show the second best in Washington history. “Crowds were steady and orderly with far more e-ticket purchases this year than ever before,” Yoffe said, noting that this year’s closing weekend Sunday eclipsed attendance for the same day a year ago. “Last year’s closing weekend delivered an attendance beyond any we’ve ever recorded,” said Yoffe. “But visitor enthusiasm this year was truly electric, so much so you could literally feel it in the air.”

With the theme “Engineered for the Future,” this year’s WAS spotlighted “green machines” with advanced technology aimed at improving fuel economy and air quality. In fact, there were numerous vehicle power alternatives on display, ranging from state of the art plug-in technology and clean diesel to hydrogen, which Mark LaNeve of General Motors showcased on Media Day when he rolled out the Chevrolet Equinox hydrogen hybrid that real consumers here will test market for GM in and around the Capital Beltway. The latest “green” innovations were the subject of The Washington Auto Show’s first Green Car Summit where industry leaders formed a symposium panel to provocatively discuss the future in the context of global warming.

Other automaker spokesmen included James Press, president of Chrysler LLC, who asserted his company’s resolve to compete vigorously in the global market when he touted the 2010 Ram-hybrid pickup that is slated to achieve the same mpg as Chrysler’s mid size vehicles.

Attendance is something that grows on “show buzz,” according to WAS promotions director Barbara Pomerance, who said that vehicle prize contests this year included numerous high end awards and a non-stop celebrities schedule. “Through growing and new partnerships with an expanded array of industry sponsors we were able to leverage show buzz to all corners of the market and beyond,” said Pomerance “and that results in a lot of consumer excitement about new cars.”

This year’s Congressional Gala and Preview, Jan. 22, turned out key lawmakers, diplomats and other notables who interfaced with automakers and dealer executive representatives. But the evening also went to the benefit of 12 Washington Area charitable organizations, the spirit of which was carried through on Thursday, Jan. 25th, by the 2nd Annual WAS Career Fair for DC public school students. This year there were about 1000 youngsters in attendance at the Auto Show to hear about career opportunities in the automobile business. WANADA chairman of the board Tamara Darvish organized and emceed the event, which included the NADA Careers in Auto and Truck Dealerships video, a panel of distinguished car business professionals, and a diverse array of automaker and educator career path displays.

“An auto show has a lot of moving parts that focus the media and consumers on the automobile business, and in Washington, that’s a big focus which increasingly has included public policymakers from here and around the world,” said WAS Chairman Ourisman. “We’re at an exciting place with this auto show and it’s great watching it happen.”