The four-day auto dealers' show is planned March 17-20 at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem. Watch video
This year's Lehigh Valley Auto Show will be the biggest so far, following record sales in North America last year and the best January in 10 years, auto dealers said Thursday.
The four-day show will be held March 17-20 and cover 110,000 square feet at Lehigh University's Goodman Campus.
The Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association said every brand available in the Valley but Lexus will be represented in the show that touts the scope and variety of consumer options available in the region.
"From a sales perspective, we are our own market," said Tom Kwiatek, the association's executive director. "Everything we need is in the Valley."
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Kwiatek said 2015 was a record year, with 17.5 million vehicles sold in North America. Despite predictions of a dropoff in sales, January of this year registered the highest number of sales for the month since 2006, Kwiatek said.
"We want to keep the momentum going," he said.
Factors in the sales surge include low gas prices, enhanced safety and technology, more financing options and a glut of dealer incentives, Kwiatek said.
Auto show visitors will be able to test-drive vehicles with participating dealers and find out more about financing, insurance and accessories in a "marketplace tent" set up outside Stabler Arena. Motorcycles and a NASCAR simulator also will be exhibited.
The Children's Hospital at Lehigh Valley Hospital will be beneficiary of the annual preview gala, set for Wednesday, March 16. The preview fundraiser is 6 to 10 p.m. and open to the public.
Money raised will help Lehigh Valley Health Network expand programs and services that support the mission of keeping kids healthy and close to home, said Mary Bianchi, administrator of Children's Hospital at Lehigh Valley Hospital.
The auto show will be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 17, through Saturday, March 19, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 20. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for seniors and kids ages 6 to 14. There is no charge for parking.
Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.