ANAHEIM, California The fever to buy a new car burns white-hot at the California International Auto (CIAS), which runs through Sunday, October 31, at the Anaheim Convention Center. Now the temperature of new-car fever will grow even hotter, because, in an innovative move that other auto shows are sure to copy, CIAS will give its attendees the opportunity to drive all-new 2005 vehicles right at the show .
Both Chevrolet and Volvo will offers selections of their newest, most exciting models for show-goers to drive on professionally designed closed courses within easy reach of the auto show. The ride and drive experiences will open this Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to
6 p.m.
Offering the attendees of our show the chance to experience vehicles first-hand on a challenging driving course is just another way we are making our show as valuable as we can to the consumer, said Todd Leutheuser, co-director of CIAS. Let’s face it, driving a new car is a lot of fun, and it is a great way to fall in love with a vehicle.
The Chevrolet ride-and-drive experience will include approximately 140,000 square feet of driving and display area, a professionally designed and hosted driving course and a tent offering an array of vehicle information. The Chevrolet event, which will give show attendees the chance to drive great vehicles like the hot-new Malibu Maxx, will take place at the Arrowhead Pond, the site of the show’s convenient free parking. Shuttles will run continuously between the Pond and Anaheim Convention Center, giving show-goers unlimited opportunities to move back and forth between the show and the ride-and-drive.
The Volvo Drive for Life Experience, taking place in approximately 65,000 square feet immediately adjacent to the Anaheim Convention Center, will give consumers the opportunity to ride along with a professional driver in the all-new XC90 V-8 and drive the XC90 T-6 and various models carrying the hot R designation.
The innovative ride-and-drive opportunities will be offered to show attendees on a first-come, first-served basis. No additional admission charge is required to drive some of the hottest, new 2005 models in either of these two innovative, fun-for-the-family events.
This year CIAS will give show-goers exciting opportunities to win a new car or $50,000 in cash. Among the great CIAS contests are chances to win a brand-new 2005 Corvette, Scion tC, Honda Element or Honda CR-V and even the chance to win 50-thousand bucks. On Sunday, October 31, CIAS has teamed with ClearChannel Radio and the Orange County Register to sponsor Southern California ‘s Ultimate Trick-or-Treat with Halloween candy at every manufacturer’s booth, providing a safe and fun experience for both children and adults. Children (and adults) are encouraged to come in costume, and there will be special surprises for kids throughout the day at various manufacturers’ booths.
When it comes to vintage and contemporary cars that really get your juices flowing, CIAS will take a back seat to no one. The show will feature appearances and car displays from a wide range of car clubs from the Southern California Gathering of Goats (GTOs), honoring the 40th anniversary of the legendary Pontiac musclecar, to the new tuner-car mania of the All-Wheel Junkies. Today, the All-Wheel Junkies will exhibit New Age all-wheel-drive performance cars, including Subaru WRXs, Mitsubishi Evos, Audi S4s, Dodge Stealths, Mitsubishi 300GTs and Mitsubishi Eclipses. After the Pontiac GTO enthusiasts show off their four decades of automotive dominance on Saturday, October 30, the Orange Coast Region of the Porsche Club of America will display their vaunted machines on Sunday, October 31.
The 2005-Model California International Auto Show is presented by the Orange County Automobile Dealers Association and Southland Motor Car Dealers Association. The show will be open to the public now through Sunday, October 31, at the Anaheim Convention Center, located at 800 West Katella Avenue. For easy access to the show, take the I-5 to Katella Avenue or Harbor Boulevard. Over 5,500 public parking spaces are available. On the weekend, free auto show parking and shuttle are available at the Arrowhead Pond, which will also be the site for the Chevrolet consumer Ride-and-Drive Experience. The Arrowhead Pond is just a short shuttle ride to and from the auto show.
Show hours are Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults (13 and over), $6 for senior citizens (62 and over), $5 for children (seven through 12) and free for children six and under.
Advance e-ticket sales are available online. E-ticket holders avoid waiting in box office lines by using the express, red-carpet e-ticket entrance at the show. Additional information and discount coupons are available on the official auto show Web site www.caautoshow.com .
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