More than 20,000 People Attended Opening Day of Canadian International AutoShow

More than 20,000 People Attended Opening Day of Canadian International AutoShow
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Canadian International AutoShow

Release Date

Sunday, February 19, 2017

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TORONTO, ONT. (Feb. 18, 2017) – The 2017 Canadian International AutoShow opened Friday with a record-setting attendance of 20,218, according to attendance numbers that arrived late Saturday.

This year’s AutoShow, theme O’Canada, celebrates Canada’s 150th and is highlighted by key appearances such as the North American debut of the Aston Martin AM-RB 001, the North American reveal of Jaguar’s F-type 400 Sport, the Global vehicle debut of the 2018 Hyundai Accent, and 16 concept cars among 41 Canadian unveils.

“We’re pleased to see record-setting attendance for Opening Day,” says Jason Campbell, General Manager of the AutoShow. “We have a lot of high-profile vehicles, concepts, a Global unveil and many new features and exhibits, so there’s a lot of excitement around this year’s show.”

One new feature in 2017 is the ‘AutoShow Live’ Stage, which will host a variety of speakers and guests who will discuss a wide-range of important automotive topics daily throughout the week. Guests on Friday and Saturday have included Continental Tire and race driver Alex Tagliani and Legendary Motorcar Company’s Peter Klutt, in addition to special appearances from LEGO Batman, Batgirl and Robin during an Ontario Provincial Police presentation.

All AutoShow Live stage events will be livestreamed on Facebook Live at facebook.com/autoshowcanada.

“We’re excited to add a new component to the show this year that features some important speakers and topics that will appeal to a variety of audiences,” Campbell says.

The AutoShow Live stage will continue on Sunday, Feb. 19, starting at noonwith a panel of leading automotive journalists, who will debate the future importance of electric and autonomous cars here in Canada. The Ontario Provincial Police will be making a presentation on alcohol and impaired driving at 2 p.m., while leading journalists will return to the stage at 4 p.m. to discuss distracted driving and how it should be dealt with.

Other AutoShow Live stage highlights happening this week include:

  • The OPP will make a presentation on Family Day on vehicle safety related to car seat installation and seatbelt training for children.

  • Journalist Lorraine Sommerfeld leads a panel focused on women and car buying.

  • University of Waterloo is one of a number of Ontario universities conducting automobile research. They have a partnership with General Motors. In conversation with Norris McDonald, they discuss their work.

  • Three-time Canadian driving champion and three-time Canadian Grand Prix Formula One starter Bill Brack talks with Norris McDonald about 50 Years of F1 Canada, what the sport was like in the old days and how it is today.

A full schedule for the AutoShow Live Stage is available in the daily calendar on our website at www.autoshow.ca/features.

The Canadian International AutoShow is taking place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre between February 17th and 26th. Please visit autoshow.ca for more information. Follow us on Instagram @cdnintlautoshow, chat with us on Snapchat at autoshowcanada, Like us on Facebook and join the conversation on Twitter @autoshowcanada with the hashtags #AutoShowOhCanada and #CIAS2017.



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