By ALYSHA MILLER
The Canadian International Auto Show was held on Feb. 25 and 26 to massive crowds eager to take a peek at the new innovations in automotive technology – or to get out of the house after Friday’s snowstorm calmed down.
The event, held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto’s downtown core, featured everything from a two-room display of a collection of Triumph cars from throughout the company’s history to the latest in electric car technology.
Kids and adults alike had the chance to open the doors and climb inside every vehicle imaginable. The lineup for the Smart Car proved that seeing them on the road has a lot of people curious about what it’s like to be behind the wheel of one of the tiny automobiles.
Businesses selling everything from rims and window tinting to remote-control helicopters had booths set up to advertise their products and services. Mothers Against Drunk Driving also had a small booth tucked into a corner between rooms with a picture wall covered with the faces of victims over the past decade. A police officer handed out ribbons to passersby and reminded those who stopped to call 911 if they suspect an impaired driver.
The Eco-Drive Showcase was one of the main features of this year’s show and focused on the future of the automotive industry. As fuel prices rise and the public becomes more environmentally conscious, car companies are coming up with a variety of ideas to adapt to these trends. Hybrid cars dotted the entire show, with companies advertising not only the features of their vehicles, but the workings of the plug-in charging cables that accompany them.
The 2012 Cruise Nationals brought together a collection of rare vehicles that had attendees shooting lots of photos.
Judging by the time it took to park and to navigate the crowds around some of the displays, the Canadian International Auto Show was a huge success. And for good reason, with more people trying to prolong the life of our planet, there is a lot of interest in the goings-on in the automotive industry.
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