“This year’s Auto Show unveiled an unprecedented 30+ future models,” said Don Herring, Jr., 2012 DFW Auto Show in Dallas chairman. “And 351,360 people came to see them!”

Acura, Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Kia, Lexus, Lincoln, Mazda, Porsche, Scion, Subaru and Toyota all showed the public what they can look forward to in the near future.

Show patrons also were drawn to the hybrids and alternative fuel vehicles this year as gasoline loomed at the $4.00 a gallon mark. The media focused their cameras on the Mitsubishi “i”, the Chevrolet Volt, the Nissan Leaf and the Ford C-Max, as well as other eco-friendly vehicles.

“When gas prices start creeping up, so does the interest in hybrids, all-electric vehicles and even compacts with higher mpg ratings. And this year we had plenty of these vehicles for consumers to consider,” Herring added.

This year’s DFW Auto Show in Dallas played host to an expanded Ride & Drive event that took place in the old Reunion Arena parking lot. Participants included Cadillac, Chrysler (including Dodge, Fiat, Jeep and Ram), Ford, General Motors (including Buick, Chevrolet and GMC), Hyundai, Kia, Subaru and Volkswagen.

“This year’s expanded event offered 70 choices for consumers to test drive –from sedans, coupes, SUVs, pickups and even hybrids. Each year, more and more manufacturers are seeing the value of getting consumers behind the wheels of their vehicles at auto shows. And the DFW Auto Show in Dallas is proud to offer one of the largest Ride & Drive events in the country,” said Lee J Chapman, president of the DFW NCDA.

On Saturday, the DFW Auto Show in Dallas teamed up with the North Texas Food Bank for the “Fuel Up North Texas” food drive. Visitors to the Show who donated one can of food or other non-perishable item received a $2 discount off a $12 ticket. In addition, DFW NCDA dealer members participated in a Dealership Challenge by collecting food from employees and customers and then delivering it to the Show. At the event’s conclusion, 4,824 pounds of food were collected and donated to the North Texas Food Bank, which translated to 4,020 meals to help feed the hungry.

“This was a great way to launch the DFW NCDA’s community awareness program,” Chapman said. “The ‘Fuel Up North Texas’ event was the perfect opportunity to get both Show attendees and our dealer members involved in a project that benefited a very worthwhile organization. We are very pleased that our combined efforts were able to make a small dent in the campaign to fight hunger in North Texas.”

Not only do children 12 and under get in free to the Auto Show but, this year, they also had an area devoted just to them. Saturday also featured the first ever Kids’ Day event, sponsored by Univision. Children of all ages were treated to games with prizes (including putt putt, skee ball and basketball), live animal exhibitions, face painting, balloon animals and other activities, all free of charge. The Dallas Zoo gave up close and personal introductions to a penguin, owl, alligator and snake, while Thomas the Parrot entertained one and all, courtesy of Robert Stapleton of Veteran Falls. Other participants included Boy Scout Troop 108 from Mesquite, Crew Kids, CBS11, the Dallas Fire Department and fingerprinting by the Dallas Police Department. In addition, Univision offered Child Safety Seat installation demonstrations and gave away 20 safety seats to audience members.

“This year’s Show was a win-win event for parents and children alike. Herring said. “Parents were able to peruse the hundreds of new vehicles and then reward their kiddos for their patience with a variety of activities and games. The DFW Auto Show in Dallas truly is an event for the whole family.”

“This is one of the most popular annual events in the Metroplex,” said Don Herring, Jr., chairman of the 2012 DFW Auto Show in Dallas. “It’s obviously the best place to be if you’re in the market for a new car, truck or SUV, but the Auto Show also is just good old-fashioned fun.”

Energy efficient continues to be the “buzz phrase” at the DFW Auto Show this year with many manufacturers highlighting their hybrids, all-electric and low emissions vehicles such as Ford’s 2013 C-Max Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), Chevrolet’s 2012 Volt, Audi’s Q7 and A3 TDI vehicles, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Nissan LEAF and many more.
“I talk to consumers every single day. Getting better fuel economy is on the mind of everyone. At the Dallas Auto Show, you can compare all the different vehicles in one location. As the economy continues to improve, and the age of cars on the road today is the highest in history, many consumers are looking at the decision to buy new or repair the old car. I think people will be very surprised at how much better the fuel-economy of the new vehicles are. If you put a pencil to the fuel savings and no other expenses except gas and oil, looking at new vehicles makes a lot of sense,” said Jerry Reynolds, nationally syndicated talk show host and automotive expert.

In addition to an impressive lineup of 2012s, including the all-new Fiat Abarth and all-new Range Rover Evoque, manufacturers are looking toward the future with a variety of 2013 models including: Audi A5 and A8L; Buick Encore; Cadillac ATS and XTS; Chevrolet Malibu and Spark; Dodge Dart; Ford Mustang GT500, Escape, Taurus SHO, Fusion EcoBoost and Focus ST; GMC Acadia; Hyundai Veloster Turbo; Infiniti JX and Mazda CX-5.

An expanded Ride & Drive event will take place at Lot E (the old Reunion Arena Parking Lot) where Show visitors will have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of some of their favorite cars, trucks and SUVS from Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, GMC, Jeep, Hyundai, Kia, Ram, Subaru and Volkswagen.

“A long string of record-setting sales, and an ever-increasing base of loyal customers, make this a very exciting time for Hyundai. It’s a great opportunity for Auto Show guests to experience our vehicles first-hand and, once they do, we know they’ll be impressed,” said Marcia Rhodes, assistant manager, Experiential Marketing for Hyundai Motor America.

“During the DFW Auto Show in Dallas, Ford is presenting the best vehicle line-up in its history, including the new 2013 Ford Fusion, winner of the Best in Show award at the North America International Auto Show in Detroit”, said Sam Pack, chairman North Texas Dealers Association. “Dallas is one of the most important automotive markets in the nation and for that reason we are showcasing vehicles consumers want to buy and feel passionate about. The new Ford Escape, the bestselling F-150 and the 40 miles per gallon Focus are clear examples of Ford’s industry leading design, safety, fuel economy and technology.”

The DFW Auto Show in Dallas also is bringing community awareness to the Show this year as it joins forces with the North Texas Food Bank for “Fuel Up North Texas”. On Saturday only, visitors are invited to donate one can of food for a $2 discount off of a $12 admission. According to the North Texas Food Bank, items most needed include: peanut butter, tuna, beans and canned ham.

“We are very excited to launch this partnership with the North Texas Food Bank this year at the Show. The North Texas Food Bank has a variety of incredible programs that help to feed thousands of area families every year. It is our hope that the food we collect on this one day can make an impact on fighting hunger in North Texas,” Herring said.

In addition, members of the Dallas Fort Worth Metropolitan New Car Dealers Association (DFW NCDA) are taking part in a Dealership Challenge with a goal of donating 3,000 cans of food to the organization.

“The dealership challenge is a great example of a unique way the North Texas community is addressing the issue of hunger,” said Jan Pruitt, CEO and president of the North Texas Food Bank. “The non-perishable, healthy food items donated at this event will not only help fill tables of hungry North Texans, but improve the lives of many more.”

New to the Show this year is Kids’ Day, sponsored by Univision. This one-day event on Saturday, March 24 will feature local companies, organizations and entertainment outlets that cater towards children. Univision will be on location along with an expert to discuss the safe installation of children’s car safety seats. Certified safety seats also will be given away during the presentations. The Dallas Police Department will provide a fingerprinting service for children. Other participants include the Dallas Zoo, Fossil Rim and Crew Kids.

Returning to the Show this year are the always-popular displays by Classic Chassis Car Club, Corvette Legends, Lone Star Corvette Club, North Texas Mustang Club, Z Car Club and Evo Car Club. A special “green” exhibit area once again will feature variety of eco-friendly products and services designed to help consumers reduce their carbon footprints, and an array of automotive products and services will be available in the Allied Exhibit Area.

Hours of the show are: 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, March 21 and 22; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 23 and 24; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 25. Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for senior citizens 65 and older, and children 12 and under are admitted free. $1 discount coupons are available at participating franchised new car dealerships. For more information, visit dallasautoshow.com.

“Now that both the Fort Worth and Dallas Auto Shows are under the Dallas Fort Worth Metropolitan New Car Dealers Association (DFW NCDA) umbrella, we wanted to provide Metroplex consumers with the best automotive comparison experience. And we believe we can accomplish that goal by having one Auto Show in the spring and one in the fall,” said Jim Hardick, 2012 DFW Auto Show in Fort Worth chairman.

Hardick added that auto enthusiasts could expect to see the return of their favorite manufacturers when the DFW Auto Show in Fort Worth opens next December.

“We are very excited about hosting an auto show during the holiday season next year. It will be a great opportunity for manufacturers and dealers to present their product as the perfect Christmas gifts! We also hope to have even more Allied and ‘Green’ exhibitors for an enjoyable holiday shopping experience,” Hardick said.

The 2012 DFW Auto Show in Dallas will be held March 21-25 at the Dallas Convention Center.