Much of what Sacramento-area car buyers will be shopping for in the coming year will be under the lights this weekend at Cal Expo.
The Sacramento International Auto Show kicks off its three-day run Friday, with scores of 2013 models on display, everything from high-priced, horsepower-laden exotics to all-electric plug-ins.
"The main focus will continue to be the awe-inspiring technological advances of new 2013 model cars," said show producer Stacey Castle of Castle Communications Inc. in Gold River. "We are thrilled to have so many manufacturers represented – 38 in all this year."
Besides cars from General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, numerous foreign makes will be on-site, including super-sleek offerings from Lotus, Maserati, Ferrari and Lamborghini.
The show, presented by the Greater Sacramento New Car Dealers Association, takes up all 13 Cal Expo buildings, plus thousands of square feet of outdoor space.
Much of the outdoor space is devoted to seven ride-and-drive courses, where attendees will have the opportunity to test-drive models from Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, GMC, Honda, Jeep, Ram and Toyota.
Inside Cal Expo's buildings, showgoers will get to examine 2013 models from all angles and get extensive information on all-new cars and vehicle updates for the coming year.
"We really redesigned much of the auto show this year, adding new features and interactive areas," Castle said.
New exhibits include NASCAR show cars from the Great Clips racing team, extravagantly decorated art cars, a mini autobahn, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District's Electric Avenue display, a vintage trailer exhibit, a designer Corvette display, the Hot Rod Hall of Fame showcase, and a display presented by the Aerospace Museum of California.
"While the new cars and the exotics represent the present and the future of the automobile, we'll once again be paying tribute to cars through history," Castle said. "We'll have hundreds of past favorites and even a few surprises, giving the show a little something for everyone."
The California Automobile Museum in Sacramento will have a selection of cars on display, and the classic automobiles of numerous auto clubs throughout the Sacramento region will be on the Cal Expo grounds.
Proceeds from this year's show will again benefit various children's and educational causes throughout the region. Over the years, the show has raised more than $1.5 million.
The Bee is a co-sponsor of the show.
SACRAMENTO INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW
When: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento.
Admission: Parking $10 per vehicle (first 100 each day park free). Tickets are $12 for adults and $3 for children ages 7 to 12; there is no admission charge for children 6 and younger. Special ticket packages are available. Tickets are sold at the door or online.
More details: Visit www.sacautoshow.com or call (916) 635-2728.
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