The upcoming Orange County Auto Show at the Anaheim Convention Center is expected to showcase some “real game changers,” said John Sackrison, who runs the trade group behind the event.
Showgoers are set to get a look at General Motors Co.’s’ Volt and Nissan Motor Co.’s Leaf, a pair of electric cars.
People will be able to test drive the Leaf, among several other models, according to Sackrison, executive director of the Newport Beach-based Orange County Automobile Dealers Association, which puts on the show with Cerritos-based Southland Motor Car Dealers Association.
Motor Trend Auto Shows LLC produces the show.
The Volt and the Leaf will be on sale at dealerships soon. The Volt is expected to go for about $40,000. The Leaf is expected to sell for $30,000. Tax credits are projected to lower prices from there.
In all, there are expected to be more than 30 hybrids at the show, which runs Oct. 7 to 10.
“These are real cars that are affordable that people can go out and buy,” Sackrison said.
Classic cars, exotics and a few tricked out celebrity vehicles also will be on display.
The focus of the show will be all of the latest models that customers can buy at dealerships. The show is like shopping at a giant dealership without the sales pressure.
“It’s a non-selling environment,” Sackrison said.
The hope is that showgoers later will seek out vehicles at local dealers.
“This show is designed to get people excited by the new product that is out there,” he said.
Attendees can sit inside vehicles and get details about them from automaker representatives.
Many of the cars will be making their West Coast debuts.
Dealers are anticipating a good turnout this year. Attendance was up last year—one of the worst years ever for auto dealers.
“We’re very optimistic we’re going to have a great crowd this year,” Sackrison said.
The show is doing traditional marketing—TV, radio and print—and is venturing into social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, where discount tickets are being offered.
In addition to autos, there will be events for families and enthusiasts. The Los Angeles Lakers’ Laker Girls are set to be on hand, as well as Spider-Man and Iron Man characters.
Mixed martial arts demonstrations are planned, while Irvine-based Ridemakerz LLC plans to give away toy cars on Oct. 9.
Dealership Move
OC Hyundai, which opened at the Santa Ana Auto Mall in March, is moving to the Tustin Auto Mall.
The dealership is set to open in Tustin on Sept. 27 with Troy Kerth as general manager.
John Patterson owns the dealership along with Tustin Mazda and Huntington Beach Mazda. Patterson also is president of the Orange County Automobile Dealers Association.
To make way for the Hyundai dealership, Patterson last year moved Tustin Mazda within the Tustin Auto Mall.
Formerly Douglas Hyundai, OC Hyundai will be one of the few dealerships nationwide selling the automaker’s new luxury Equus sedan.
Fountain Valley-based Hyundai Motor America’s Equus, meant to rival other luxury sedans, hits showrooms later this year.
It’s set to sell for about $60,000.
It comes with “valet service,” which means the dealer will pick up the car for oil changes or other kinds of services.
All buyers will get a free iPad, which they can use to schedule service appointments.
Boat Show
The 32nd annual Lido Yacht Expo is set for the Lido Marina Village in Newport Beach Thursday through Sunday.
The show is designed for sales of big boats—26 feet and up.
About 250 yachts are expected, including 2011 models that will be for sale at local boat dealers.
Irvine’s Duncan McIntosh Co. produces the show.
Store Openings
This month, South Coast Plaza is opening three stores that are exclusive to the county: Catimini, a French children’s clothing store, Spanish jeweler Tous and a boutique by Paris-based book publisher Assouline.
Assouline publishes high-end fashion, art, design, photography, travel and other luxury gift books.
Last year, Assouline opened its 2,200-square-foot flagship store at the Crystals shopping center at the CityCenter resort, gambling and shopping complex in Las Vegas. Assouline’s closest store is in West Hollywood at Bastide restaurant, a so-called “bookstore bistro.”
Assouline’s other store locations include Paris and Manhattan.
