2012 Canadian international auto show opens in Toronto

The 39th Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS) kicked off Thursday in Metro Toronto Convention Centre with dozens of Canada premieres on show and collective display of eco-vehicles as new feature. The Canadian International Auto Show is the largest consumer show of its kind in the country. According to organizers, this year there are over 125 exhibitors with over 1000 cars and trucks on display. They estimated that there would be an attendance of over 300,000 during the 11-day event. Yoshimi Inaba, President and Chief Operating Officer of Toyota Motor North America was invited by CIAS Board of Directors to act as the auto manufacturers' representative to officially open the auto show. This is a honour traditionally awarded to recognize the major contribution and support provided by auto makers to Canadian economy and CIAS. In a press conference at the opening of the CIAS, the Hyundai Elantra was declared the 2012 Canadian Car of the Year by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada. It was another prize to the South Korean product after it was named the 2012 North America Car of the Year over one month ago at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, U.S.A. The first day of the CIAS saw the launch of 37 Canadian vehicles premieres brought over by world major auto makers, including Audi 2013 A4 Sedan, and Toyota 2013 Scion FR-S. There are 11 concept cars among the premiers, such as BMW Vision ConnectedDrive and Jaguar C-X16 Concept. One of CIAS's new features is Eco-Drive Showcase, which highlights the fuel-efficient and fuel-alternative vehicles and technologies. This arrangement is designed to provide an insight into the broad spectrum of fuel-saving technologies and alternatives, vehicle types and individual vehicle choices that are or soon will be available to consumers.