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SANDY — The Utah International Auto Expo gets underway Friday and that means more than 350 vehicles will be on display for people to look at up close and even take them for a test drive.
Manufacturers started rolling in their 2016 models Thursday. Workers were getting the display areas ready; forklifts were zig-zagging throughout the show floor, which is about four football fields in size.
Dozens of drivers are hired to carefully squeeze the brand new vehicles, large and small, into place. It's all very precise. Everything has to be perfect for the show, right down to making sure the logos on the wheels are right-side up.
"I was here (Wednesday) afternoon late, hardly anything was in this hall," said Craig Bickmore, executive director of New Car Dealers of Utah. "Now you can see it, not even 24 hours later, almost all the cars are in, the displays are up, the carpets in. In 24 hours, it's been like a beehive in here to get this show done."
This is the beginning of the auto show season, as the manufacturers are rolling out their latest models.
"There's some displays that we've never had before in scope and size," Bickmore said.
While this show is primarily aimed at showing off the 2016 models, there are a handful of companies at the show that are displaying vehicles for 2017, including Volkswagen and Lincoln.
This is always a well-attended show, attracting potential car buyers and auto enthusiasts from a wide area.
"But as a regional show in a multi-state area, this is one of the biggest, and successful it is. Because look at how many people come here," Bickmore said. "An event for the winter months, it's one of the best."
From Ford to Honda, hundreds of new models will turn heads on the show floor including the all-new 2017 Ford Raptor, Infiniti QX50, Volkswagen ALLTrack, Scion iA, Ford Focus RS, Honda Civic and Lincoln Continental, as well as the latest alternative fuel options including the all-new Chevrolet Volt and more.
And with the industry coming off one of the best years ever, there's plenty of optimism.
"One of the best, 17 million units," Bickmore said. "We think '16 is going to be the same and maybe better. The automotive industry is back."
- When: Friday, January 15 - Monday January 18
- Where: South Towne Expo Center, 9575 S. State Street
- Hours: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday & Monday
- Ticket prices: $10 for adults (13 and older), $6 for seniors (62 and over) & military (with any DOD ID), FREE for children (6 and under)
From hybrids to sedans, drivers can take a spin in a variety of the latest models from Honda, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Fiat, Ford and Toyota.
Vintage car fans will take a trip down memory lane at the Ardell Brown Classic Cars Collection featuring a showcase of classic gems including a Sport Fury, 1925 Dodge Brothers, 1936 Chrysler Airflow, and 1969 Dodge Challenger.
Additionally, a special Mustang display will pay tribute to the Fox Body, the longest generation in the Mustang family (1979-1993), as well as Boss Mustangs, courtesy of the Northern Utah Mustang Owners Association.
The Auto Expo opens Friday at 11 a.m. at the South Towne Expo Center at 9575 S. State Street. It runs through Monday, Jan. 18. Hours are: Friday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets for adults (people 13 and older) are $10, seniors (62 and over) $6, military (with any DOD ID) $6, children (7-12) are $6, and children 6 and under are free. Family Days are Sunday and Monday. Children 12 and under are free with a paying adult those days.
