Event Chairman Anticipates
‘Headline-worthy’ 2008 Dallas Auto Show

On April 2-6, the DFW Metroplex spotlight will shine brightly on the Dallas Convention Center when the Dallas Auto Show comes to town.

“Last year, more than 385,000 auto enthusiasts visited the Dallas Auto Show, proof that our ‘love affair’ with the automobile is alive and well,” said Kurt Fegraeus, 2008 Dallas Auto Show chairman. “The Dallas Auto Show really is a ‘must see’ event. The consumer has the greatest of opportunities to view all the latest and greatest of every manufacturer, all under one roof. If someone is shopping for the perfect car to buy, this is the ultimate time to compare everything on their shopping list. And, this year, we are not only welcoming ‘repeat visitors’ to the Show, but we would like to entice new showgoers to experience everything the Show has to offer as well. We believe it will be a headline-worthy event.”

First and foremost, Fegraeus said, are the cars themselves. “Vehicles get faster, more technologically advanced and more luxurious every year. And this year, we will have more than a half a million square feet of them for consumers to inspect. There will be, of course, hundreds of ‘08 models, but there also will be an impressive line-up of 2009s and concept vehicles. The Dallas Auto Show is a great venue for manufacturers to unveil what they have in store for consumers in the years to come,” he said.

Now available in the U.S. and on site at the 2008 Dallas Auto Show will be the smart fortwo, the shortest and most compact automobile currently in production.  Also scheduled to appear will be: 2009 Aston Martin DBS, 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, 2009 Chevrolet Traverse, 2009 Silverado Hybrid, 2009 Hummer H3T, 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid, Chrysler Imperial concept, 2009 Dodge Durango Hybrid, 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, 2009 Ford F150, 2009 F150 Ford Works, 2009 Ford Flex, 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid, 2009 Infiniti FX, 2009 Hyundai Sonata, 2009 Hyundai Genesis, 2009 Mitsubishi Galant, 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Coupe and Spyder, 2009 Nissan GT-R, 2009 Nissan Maxima, Nissan Forum minivan concept, 2009 Subaru Forester, Suzuki Equator RMZ-4 concept vehicle and the Suzuki Makai concept vehicle. Specialty vehicles will include the Chevrolet Camaro Bumblebee, a Glass Roof Ford Mustang and Mustang Bullitt; and Mitsubishi rally racing vehicles the Pajero, Starion, Evolander, an ‘81 Lancer Turbo 2000 and the 500.  
  
New to the Dallas Auto Show this year is Operation KidSafe, a child security/identification system, that will be sponsored by Univision 23. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 4-6, representatives from Operation KidSafe will take children’s pictures and capture their fingerprints. The only record of the visit goes home with the family.

“Statistics show that more than 3,000 children are reported missing each and every day in the United States. Most are found within minutes or hours and have happy endings. Law enforcement officials say that time is critical in the recovery of missing children and found that one major problem that costs precious time is the gathering of current photographs, fingerprints and statistical information that could assist in the investigations of these cases.

“The dealer-members of the New Car Dealers Association of Metropolitan Dallas recognize the need for this service to be offered to metroplex area families and believe the best way to reach these families is through the 2008 Dallas Auto Show,” Fegraeus said.

In conjunction with Operation KidSafe, Univision 23 will be on location on Sunday, April 6 along with an expert to talk about the safe installation of children’s car safety seats. Twenty quality certified safety seats also will be given away during Univsion’s appearance.

In addition, in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of booster seats and increase usage, Mitsubishi Motors and Kids Safety First, a national non-profit organization, will continue its National Booster Seat Awareness Initiative at the Dallas Auto Show as Certified Car Seat Technicians from the Plano Police Department, the Presbyterian Hospital of Plano and the Dallas Police Department will be on hand to conduct booster seat installation demonstrations on Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6.

By participating in a free demonstration, parents with children between the ages of 4 and 8 who are less than 4'9" tall will have an opportunity to receive a certificate for a free booster seat redeemable at seven Dallas-area Mitsubishi car dealerships. Kids Safety First will also be handing out free educational materials such as coloring books and car seat safety guideline cards. For more information about Kids Safety First and the National Booster Seat Awareness Initiative, log on to www.kidssafetyfirst.com .

Returning to the Dallas Auto Show this year will be the Toyota Off Road On Site Adventure, a challenging course where auto show-goers can get behind the wheel of the Toyota Tundra,Tacoma or FJ Cruiser and put them to the off-road test. Hours of the event are: 4-10 p.m. Thursday, April 3; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, April 4; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 5; and 11 a.m. 6 p.m. Sunday, April 6.

“Toyota is very pleased to be a part of the Dallas Auto Show for a third consecutive year,” said Mark Ruvelson, George P. Johnson Company executive producer. “The addition of a tunnel that runs through the big hill, and a river rock section on the FJ Cruiser breakaway leg, are just a few of the upgrades we’ve added to this year’s experience. Even if guests have participated in previous years, we know this year’s course will give them a real thrill.
“It’s a great way to experience first-hand the rugged capabilities of our vehicles, and it’s a lot of fun too. There’s something for everyone, and all participants get a free gift,” he added.

In addition, Mitsubishi Motors will provide Dallas Auto Show attendees the opportunity to test drive some of its latest models as well such as the 2008 Outlander and the 2009 Galant. Hours of the Mitsubishi Ride ‘N Drive event are 11 a.m. to 8 p..m. Friday, April 4; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 5; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 6.

“This Ride ‘N Drive event will provide consumers with a convenient and personal way to experience Mitsubishi cars on a closed course adjacent to the Dallas Convention Center. Consumers can take advantage of this free opportunity by signing up at the Mitsubishi Motors booth or at the Ride ‘N Drive tent in the south lot behind the Convention Center,” said Dan Kuhnert, executive vice president of Sales and Marketing.

Other highlights of the 2008 Dallas Auto Show will include a Shelby exhibit. “For over 40 years the legend of the 427 Shelby Cobra has been alive and well as the alpha male of 60’s muscle cars. Now the legend is back. Auto enthusiasts will be able to see the new continuation series 427S/C Shelby Cobra and the 600 horsepower Lemans winning GT40 continuation series at the Dallas Auto Show,” said Jim Creel of Racing Legends Motorsports.

Also featured will be an impressive exhibit from The Dallas Morning News, DallasNews. com and cars.com, sponsors of the 2008 Dallas Auto Show; classic car exhibits by Lone Star Corvette Club, Corvette Legends, North Texas Mustang Club and Texas Classic Cars; motorcycle displays from Ducati and Harley Davidson; games and contests from the Media; and automotive products and services in the Allied Area.

Hours of the show are: 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, April 2 and 3; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, April 4; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 5; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 6. Tickets are $11 for adults, $5 for senior citizens 65 and older, and children 12 and under are admitted free. Discount coupons for $1 off the regular admission price are available at participating franchised new car dealerships.