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2010 auto show looks to the future

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February 25, 2010

The Cleveland Auto Show, presented by AutoTrader.com, will drive into town at the I-X Center Feb. 27 through March 7.

The theme of this year's Show is "Driving You to a Better Tomorrow."

Greater Clevelanders and Ohioans beyond will be able to see the latest production vehicles; futuristic concept vehicles, hybrids and electric vehicles, alternative fuel vehicles, an expanded program of indoor and outdoor interactive ride and drives, and more. Throughout the show, there will be special celebrity appearances from Ohio State football players, NASCAR stars and Cleveland Cavaliers among others.

Exhibits

Guests will have a chance to register to win a 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS. Each day of the show one lucky winner will be chosen as a finalist. These 10 finalists will then be invited back March 7 and given a key. The finalist with a key that opens the door wins the new 2010 LaCrosse.

Other highlights include:

* Consumer Financial Education: Consumers with questions about their personal credit situation and how it relates to their ability to finance a vehicle purchase can receive financial and credit education from on-site lenders. Prospective buyers can leave the Show with information in-hand on what they can qualify for, as well as lending options.

* Green Pavilion: Here visitors can experience the efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles offered by the world's leading automakers.

* Ride-N-Drive Adventures: Largely expanded, interactive indoor and outdoor Ride-N-Drives from Chevrolet, Kia and Jeep, to name a few, will allow attendees to experience real life driving at the Auto Show.

* Early 1900's Alternative-Fuel Vehicles Exhibit: Sponsored by the Western Reserve Historical Society's Crawford Auto Collection in collaboration with the Auto Design School of the Cleveland Institute of Art.

* Classic Car Show sponsored by Pennzoil: All vehicles are 25 years and older and will be competing for prizes in several categories.

* Classic Car Seller's Corral: For those interested in buying or selling a fine classic vehicle at the special classic car showroom at the Auto Show. Go to www.Clevelandautoshow.com to find out how to sell a Classic vehicle at the Auto Show for an exhibitor's fee of $25.

Highlighted cars

Visitors to this year's show will have the chance to view a large number of Ohio premiers and pre-production vehicles introduced to Ohioans for the very first time.

Starting with the practical, and a vehicle very important to Northeast Ohio's economy, the Chevrolet Cruze will make its Ohio premier at the show. The Cruze is a global car refined for America, delivering many segment leading features and details that challenge preconceived notions about what a compact car can be in North America. It also shows Chevrolet's commitment to building refined, fuel efficient vehicles with small-displacement four cylinder engines. It's expected to get up to 40 mpg on the highway.

Ford will be bringing two vehicles at the forefront of fuel economy that were selected as the Car of the Year and Truck of the Year, respectively. You'll see the new Ford Fusion Hybrid and the fuel sipping Transit Connect at the show.

While small business owners will be drawn to the Transit Connect because of its interior flexibility and good gas mileage, most people will be more interested in the Ford Fusion Hybrid. Billed by Ford as the most fuel-efficient mid-sized car in America, the Fusion also won a Top Safety Pick Award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Because it has hybrid drive, this family sedan actually gets better fuel economy in the city than on the highway, posting 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Supercar is expected at the show, the first car designed and built from the ground up by Mercedes-AMG. The SLS AMG Supercar features a lightweight aluminum space-frame body with gull wing doors. Under the hood is a 563-horsepower dry-sump V8 engine mated to a dual clutch seven-speed transmission. It's just one of several innovative new vehicles Mercedes-Benz is bringing to this year's show.

Another can't miss at this year's show is the new 2011 Audi A8. This luxury sedan took home top honors in the EyesonDesign Awards at the North American International Auto Show where it made its world debut. It's making its Ohio debut just a few weeks later right here at the I-X Center, but it won't be in U.S. Audi dealers until later this year.

Considered Audi's new flagship sedan, the 2011 A8 has a light aluminum body and powerful highly efficient engine. It cuts a dashing figure from the curb, and it's equally elegant on the inside featuring new technology and new driver assistance systems.

At the Hyundai booth will be the brand's new flagship sedan, the Equus. It's Hyundai's top of the line luxury sedan.

'Night of Lights' gala

Those wishing to preview the show before the crowds and give to a charitable cause can attend the "Night of Lights" Charity Gala benefitting the Epilepsy Association, the Diana Hyland Miracle Fund at University Hospitals Ireland Cancer Center, The Western Reserve Historical Society and The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. Tickets are available on line at www.clevelandautoshow.com or by calling 440-746-1500. All proceeds benefit those local charities.

Ticket information

Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $10 for pre-teens. Children 6 and under are free.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.clevelandautoshow.com now.

There will be $2 discount coupons available at more than 250 area dealerships while supplies last. The discount can be used for all regular admissions. Parking is free.




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