An auto show, also known as a motor show or car show, is a public exhibition of current automobile models, debuts, concept cars, or out-of-production classics. It is attended by automotive industry representatives, dealers, auto journalists and car enthusiasts. Most auto shows occur once or twice a year. They are important to car manufacturers and local dealers as a public relations exercise, as they advertise new products and promote auto brands. The five most prestigious auto shows, sometimes called the "Big Five", are generally considered to be held in Detroit, Frankfurt, Geneva, Paris and Tokyo.[1] Car enthusiast communities along the historic U.S. Route 66 are credited with general popularization of car meets, including ethnic groups such as the Hispanos of New Mexico,[2] Chicanos,[3] and Mexican-Americans of the Southwestern United States;[4] lowrider, high technology,[5] electric vehicle,[6] and other enthusiast show, are popular in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, San Francisco, and Chicago for this reason.[7][8]

An auto show in Toronto, Canada in 1912
Inside the Porsche pavilion at the IAA 2013 in Frankfurt
Antique and custom car show at Centre 200 in Sydney, Nova Scotia in 2008
Lorries and buses at Indonesia International Auto Show 2017

Some auto shows have more than just cars including: all sorts of other vehicles. The types of vehicles can include buses, trucks and almost any other types of vehicles such as Auto Expo in Delhi brings a variety of vehicles ranging from private to commercial.

Manufacturer and Dealer shows

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The International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers organizes many auto shows, including the Big Five. These shows all have an advertising purpose. They are held as part of the sales strategy of the manufacturers.

Enthusiast shows

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Rockville Antique and Classic Car Show 2015, free public access

There are other car shows that are organized by car enthusiast associations, automobile dealers, retail businesses, charitable organizations, or municipalities. There is no generally accepted term for these more common events.

Manufacturer car shows typically showcase vehicles currently being manufactured and available for purchase. Enthusiast car shows showcase individually owned vehicles, that are not currently being manufactured, and that are not available for purchase.

Enthusiast car shows have rules of entry, limiting the types of vehicles that may be shown, e.g. classic cars, hot rods, single-models (Corvette, Packard, Mustang, etc.), type of vehicle (station wagons, pickup trucks, orphan brands, etc…)

Enthusiast car shows usually draw their entries locally. There are many car shows in various localities across many nations. Some may even be free to go to.

List of auto shows

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Geneva Motor Show: born-again car industry moves into the green - GenevaLunch News". 5 March 2010. Archived from the original on 26 September 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  2. ^ Usner, Donald (2016). Órale! lowrider : custom made in New Mexico (in Latvian). Santa Fe: Museum of New Mexico Press. ISBN 978-0-89013-617-1.
  3. ^ Tatum, C.M. (2011). Lowriders in Chicano Culture: From Low to Slow to Show: From Low to Slow to Show. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-0-313-38150-8. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  4. ^ Carpio, G. (2019). Collisions at the Crossroads: How Place and Mobility Make Race. American Crossroads. University of California Press. p. 1. ISBN 978-0-520-29883-5. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  5. ^ "Our favorite cars and flying vehicles from CES 2020". GeekWire. January 9, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  6. ^ "An Exhibit of Tesla Vehicles". San Francisco Auto Show. November 21, 2019. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  7. ^ Low Rider. Park Avenue Design. 1999. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  8. ^ Chappell, B. (2012). Lowrider Space: Aesthetics and Politics of Mexican American Custom Cars. University of Texas Press. ISBN 978-0-292-74454-7. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
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