Cleveland Auto Show Adds 400,000 Sq. Ft. of Exhibit Space for '08

CLEVELAND, Aug. 2, 2007 -- Already considered one of the largest automotive expositions in the country at 900,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, the 2008 Cleveland Auto Show presented by AutoTrader.com has added 400,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor space -- making Cleveland the largest show on one floor in North America.

"The Cleveland Auto Show is not landlocked like shows in downtown convention centers," says Gary S. Adams, president, Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers' Association. "The Cleveland show's unique facility can evolve with the growing demand from consumers for more life experience exhibits that allows them to drive or ride in vehicles while they are at the show with family and friends."

New in Cleveland for 2008 -- The Growth of Life Experience Exhibits

At the 2007 Cleveland Auto Show, three ride-and-drives were running simultaneously -- Camp Jeep(R) Cleveland (44,000 sq. ft. -- built inside), Dodge Performance Zone (24,000 sq. ft. -- built inside), and the Chrysler Inspired Drive Tour (130,000 sq. ft. built outside).

"With the expanded interior and exterior floor space, the 2008 Cleveland Auto Show can facilitate up to five, interactive ride-and-drives, performance tracks or towing demonstrations all at the same time," Adams said. "And if the weather is bad, consumers can test drive vehicles in real, northern Ohio winter conditions at the show."

Auto Sales Up In Northern Ohio

In a 19-county region of northern Ohio -- which includes the cities of Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Lorain, Youngstown and Mansfield -- new passenger car and light truck sales were up 1.2 percent through the first six months of 2007. Nationwide, new vehicle sales were down 2 percent over the same time period, according to Wards Auto Data.

Coming strong out of the 2007 Cleveland Auto Show, new vehicle sales were up for three consecutive months -- April, May and June 2007 -- in a 19-county region of northern Ohio. The 2007 show concluded in early March. In addition, sales of 23 automotive brands were up through the first six months of 2007 in northern Ohio.

New vehicle sales in a 19-county region of northern Ohio accounted for 1.3 percent of total U.S. new vehicle sales from January to June 2007. In northern Ohio, 108,364 new vehicles were purchased or leased from January to June 2007. Nationwide, over the same six-month period, 8,216,718 new vehicles were sold, according to Wards Auto Data.

About the 2008 Cleveland Auto Show

The 2008 Cleveland Auto Show presented by AutoTrader.com is owned and operated by the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers' Association in Brecksville, Ohio. The GCADA represents 265 franchised motor vehicle dealerships in northern Ohio. The public dates of the show are Saturday, Feb. 23 to Sunday, March 2, 2008 at the I-X Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Parking is free. Official website: http://www.clevelandautoshow.com/.