2011 Hyundai Sonata attracts strong interest

Hyundai has certainly come a long way since introducing its subcompact Excel to the US market in 1986. At that time Hyundai was a one horse player and not a car line known for building quality vehicles. Gradually, the Korean automaker expanded its product line and began a relentless pursuit to win customer loyalty.

Part of its customer loyalty initiative was to roll out a then unheard of 100,000 mile vehicle warranty plan. That plan was hatched in a bid to instill confidence in its customers that Hyundai would stand behind every vehicle built for years to come.

Hyundai Warranty

Subsequently, the company rolled out its “Hyundai Assurance” program, an arrangement allowing customers to return their cars without penalty should thy lose their jobs. That plan was launched in early 2009 during the worst of the recession and is one of the reasons why Hyundai sold more cars in 2009 than they did in 2008, one of only three manufacturers to buck the industry trend.

The good news continues to flow forth for Hyundai as Kelley Blue Book (KBB), the consumer car information company, says that brand loyalty for Hyundai has surpassed industry leaders Honda and Toyota. Moreover, Hyundai car values have been outperforming the industry average while its all new midsize Hyundai Sonata sedan is one of the most researched vehicles on the KBB website.

“Hyundai is clearly benefiting from ‘a perfect storm’ – a result of introducing passionate new products like the 2011 Sonata and 2010 Tucson, while Honda’s mainstream vehicles like the CR-V and Accord are a bit stale in the marketplace and Toyota is experiencing a huge consumer perception crisis,” said James Bell, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. “To sustain this momentum, Hyundai should continue to promote its attractive new-vehicle lineup, solid warranty offer and strong price-points to new-car shoppers. Hyundai’s main challenge in the near future will likely come from domestic automakers like Ford and GM as they gear up for battle over buyers starting to look for a change from ‘Camry-land.’”

Midsize Market

Indeed, the midsize sedan category has been owned by the Camry-Accord juggernaut since the early 1990s. Up until that time the Ford Taurus was the industry leader but it quickly grew outdated and was surpassed by more modern and better quality Japanese vehicles. Just as the Camry and Accord overtook the Taurus, the Hyundai Sonata should make inroads on these models going forward.

Source: KBB.com

Many of today’s automotive engines are complex and incorporate sophisticated technologies such as direct injection and turbochargers to squeeze more power and better fuel efficiency out of a smaller engine. Your engine may need premium fuel in order to run efficiently, but in some cases premium fuel may be a manufacturer’s requirement.

Octane Choices

Generally, two grades of unleaded fuel are sold across the US: regular and unleaded. Regular produces 87 octane while premium typically delivers 91 octane. Some gas stations sell a mid-grade blend returning 89 octane while a few stations sell a super premium octane blend of 93 or higher.

Cost Differential

Premium gas also carries with it a premium price, usually twenty to twenty-five cents higher than regular grade gas. Letting cost alone determine the best grade of gas for your car is a mistake.

Fuel Performance

The higher the octane, the more efficient some engines run. Most late model cars can run on regular fuel just fine, but a loss of performance versus premium fuel can sometimes occur. You’ll notice a difference when going from zero to sixty as your time will be off by at least a half second when using a lower grade.

Engine Knock

Late model cars come equipped with knock sensors to eliminate engine knock. If your engine knocks, a higher grade of gas may be needed otherwise damage could set in. Pinging and knocking should always be taken seriously.

Manufacturer Guidance

Regardless of what anyone says, follow your manufacturer’s requirements when it comes to fueling your car. If your owner’s manual says that premium fuel is required, then only use that fuel. If it says that it is recommended, then you can use a lower grade.

The difference here is between required and recommended—read your owner’s manual carefully because you don’t want to do something wrong thereby messing up your warranty!

Reference

Edmunds.com:  Do You Really Need Premium?

2010 Chevy Corvette

I love to use the word “iconic” when I describe the Ford Mustang, America’s enduring pony car. For nearly a half century, this particular steed has filled a need in the heart of many sport coupe enthusiasts.

Though the Mustang has certainly earned its place in the halls of American autodom, I would give the hot car nod to the Chevrolet Corvette, a true sportscar by every definition. Importantly, the Corvette has a longer product run with the first model rolling out in 1953 well before the muscle car era got its start.

Corvette Appeal

The Corvette’s appeal in America is well known, but less so in markets around the world. Sure, the Corvette is available overseas including in Europe, but it has a miniscule following as it must go up against some of the finest sports cars in the world. Like Porsche, Ferrari, Maserati and Lotus to name just a few. That has put the Corvette at a distinct disadvantage, one that GM management hopes to erase by inviting global designers to participate in the Corvette redesign process.

Yes, the next generation of America’s sports car may still be built in Bowling Green, Kentucky but its design may be hatched in a design studio in Germany, Japan or elsewhere. Sounds almost sacrilegious doesn’t it?

New Design

Well, yes and no. GM knows that the key to the Corvette’s enduring success is to attract younger buyers. Unfortunately, the Corvette comes across more like your granddaddy’s sports car, one that today’s up and coming buyers are not identifying with. That’s not good news for any car line as you must keep that attraction strong from generation to generation. Today’s Corvette, though fast and stylish, is not as refined as a Porsche. GM isn’t giving buyers any reason to consider Corvette at least in its current iteration.

In the Mar. 8, 2010 issue of “Autoweek,” GM’s VP of global design Ed Welburn noted that the Corvette’s redesign was opened up to ten design studios around the world in 2009. With those designs now in hand, GM appears pleased with what they have received although a final design has yet to be chosen.

The current Corvette is criticized for looking too big and for having a cheap interior. Just under 14,000 Corvettes were sold in 2009, a drop of 48 percent from the year before. A new model is about two to three years out, but expect that the new design will be settled this year in order to stay on target.

Real Corvette

Changing the Corvette will be a delicate act, one that can take the model into a different direction completely which raises an important point—will the next generation Corvette no longer be a Corvette? Let’s hope so because this “iconic” model deserves to be given the chance to not only survive, but thrive.

Photo Credit: GM Corp.

Concept Porsche 918 Spyder

Maximum Bob is retiring. Again.

Robert A. (Bob) Lutz, the larger than life Swiss-born auto industry personality who is widely credited with reviving the electric car, announced that he was stepping down from his position at General Motors. Lutz, who had announced and then rescinded his retirement in 2009 will leave GM on May 1. Lutz is 78.

There is so much that can be said about Bob, one of the more colorful characters of our time at least in the auto industry where towing the line is an art form. But in start contrast to that way of thinking, Lutz often said what he thought and didn’t care too much about people’s reactions including once publicly calling global warming a crock of sh*t.

Lutz began his automotive career with GM Europe in 1963 before heading off to BMW in 1971.  Following his three year stint at BMW, Lutz took turns at Ford, Chrysler and GM with a four year tenure at Exide, a global battery manufacturer preceding his final GM years.

Though credited with influencing the building of the BMW 3-Series, Chrysler LH sedans, Dodge Viper and Plym0uth Prowler, Lutz’ role in getting GM to start thinking about electric cars again may yet prove to be his most significant accomplishment.

Although the car is not due out until November, the Chevrolet Volt is at the vanguard of new electrification technology which promises to reshape the way people view their cars.  Some felt that Lutz would stay around until after the car made its debut, but the heavy lifting has already been completed, therefore Lutz can move on.

In Other News

Lutz’s retirement isn’t the only news of note this week. The Geneva Motor Show’s press days are over, revealing a number of dazzling new models and concepts which will be on display through March 14 in Switzerland.

I have yet to complete my sifting through of press materials, photos and schematics related to what has been revealed, though the Porsche 918 Spyder Concept (pictured) is certainly a looker. And, if Porsche goes ahead and builds the car it could turn the industry on its ear.

How so? Because the 918 is a plug-in hybrid model, pairing an explosive V8 engine with lithium-ion hybrid technology. Porsche says that the 918 can travel from zero to sixty in just 3.2 seconds while achieving 78 mpg on the highway! Most certainly that is an unheard of combination of power and fuel economy, numbers competing manufacturers would need to match if Porsche follows through and builds the 918.

Final Thoughts

I also noted that Hyundai did follow through and roll out their iFlow concept at Geneva but the only pictures to be had are the four auto show images on their website. I had hoped to snag a few more, but that will have to wait until Hyundai updates their site. Take it from Ford and GM, Hyundai: when you announce a new car or concept, have those pictures available to the press pronto.

Lastly, in the Mar. 1, 2010 Consumer Reports (CR) Car Blog posting, it was noted that Toyota will pick up cars and provide free loaner service for affected owners of recalled models. Then again, when you read the CR article you have to wonder if something might have gotten lost in translation….

Ferrari 458 Italia

The latest iteration of the Italian supercar!

Exotic car maker Ferrari has scored big in 2009. Earlier this year, customers of the Ferrari California with its famed retractable roof began to see their orders filled. In September, the hard top Ferrari 458 Italia was introduced, the most modern and technologically advanced Ferrari ever. With seven models now available, enthusiasts of the celebrated Italian sports car marque have a stable of “Prancing Horse” stallions to choose from, the largest line up in the automaker’s outstanding eight decade history.

An All New Ferrari

Completely new inside and out, the Ferrari 458 Italia is a two-seater “berlinetta” (little saloon) model, which derives its name from its all new engine — a mid-rear mounted direct injection 4.5L V8 — as well as from its country, Italy. Ferrari thought that it was important to offer tribute to its native land, noting that its newest model reflects her people’s passion, creative flair and embracement of cutting-edge technology.

Bodily evidence of this is found in the 458 Italia’s Pininfarina styling which gives the car a look that is both beautiful to behold as well as highly aerodynamic. Sharp edges, defining bulges and sporty, crisp lines mark the new model which takes its styling cues from the now retired one million dollar Ferrari Enzo F1 racer. The Ferrari 458 Italia officially replaces the aged and heavier Ferrari 430, offering a larger and more powerful engine than its predecessor, yet realizing important fuel economy improvements while emitting fewer emissions.

Sleek Design, Potent Engine

The front of the new Ferrari features a single opening for the grille and side intakes, utilizing aerodynamic sections and profiles which have been designed to direct air to the coolant radiators and to its new, flat underbody. Ferrari included small aeroelastic winglets in the nose piece which helps to add downforce and deform as speed increases, reducing the size of the radiator inlets and further decreasing wind drag.

The engine itself is an engineering achievement and represents Ferrari’s first attempt to mount a direct injection engine in the mid-rear section of the car. An exhilarating, powerful and familiar growl emerges from the engine the moment it kicks on, thundering through the entire frame and out through the exhaust’s triple tip rear tailpipes. Producing 562 horsepower with 398 pound-feet of torque, the engine harmonizes with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, enabling the 458 Italia to travel from zero to sixty in about 3.3 seconds, while topping out at just over two hundred miles per hour. Time to contact the Kansas Speedway about their track rental times!

With no manual gearbox available and no plans to build one, the 458 Italia lacks the only thing that F1 drivers do – shift gears. Still, with the paddle shifters at the ready a measure of control remains with the driver, which is probably for the best when most of your driving is on I-70 or cruising down Metcalf Avenue.

Formula One Champ Advises

The 458 Italia’s cockpit is as close to a F1 duplicate as you’ll ever find thanks to the work of retired seven-time world drivers champion Michael Schumacher who is now a Ferrari advisor. Schumacher counseled Ferrari to move all of the key controls to the steering wheel (shift paddles, start/stop switch, etc.) in an effort to help the driver maintain road concentration, while maximizing control over the supercar.

The Ferrari’s instrument cluster features an ample, central tachometer that redlines at 9,000 rpm and measures up to 10,000 rpm, along with a smaller speedometer on the right side that exceeds 200 mph and a digital information display located on the left side. Secondary controls including heating and air-conditioning, lights and audio are located on either side of the steering wheel.

Controlling Your Ferrari

A car as powerful as the Ferrari 458 Italia needs its share of safety features to make sure that it stays on road or track at all times as well as protects occupants in the event that control is lost.

The newest Ferrari features improved lateral traction, enhanced anti-lock braking and a shorter braking distance than the model it replaces. A more direct steering ratio improves handling, while its 42/58 weight distribution and a curb weight of just over 3000 pounds work in tandem to help rein in the power of this mighty stallion.

Riding on 20” wheels, the Ferrari’s 235/35 tires up front are joined by larger rubber in the back, 295/35 tires which enhance rear grip. You won’t be taking your supercar out in bad weather, but in the event that a sudden storm blows in you’ll still have the confidence that you can return home – in low gear, of course.

Satisfied Workers Build Fantastic Cars

Just 27 Ferraris are built each day at the company’s production facility in Maranello, Italy, which has been rated as the best place to work in the entire automotive industry. Production there is divided between Ferrari’s two newest models – the California, which is sold out until 2011 – and the 458 Italia, the latter which will begin to be delivered to its first customers in early 2010.

Pricing for the Ferrari 458 Italia is set at the dealer level where information about the Ferrari Driving Experience, a two-day precision driving school where students learn about threshold braking, weight transfer, managing acceleration,identifying the ideal driving line on track and discovering the limits of vehicle adhesion in both wet and dry driving situations is also shared. The school, of course, is located in Italy which gives interested Ferrari fans the opportunity to tour the production facility while sampling local culture.

Photo Credit: S.p.A.

The demise of Hummer, promising smaller models including this concept Hummer Hx will die with the brand.

For General Motors three out of four will have to do.

Four is the number of brands GM has been working on getting rid of, but three represents the number of those same brands that the company will end up closing down. On Tuesday, GM completed the sale of Saab to Spyker, but on Wednesday the automaker announced some bad news: its Chinese buyer for Hummer was backing off from the deal. As a result of the canceled deal, GM will begin to shut down Hummer. Pontiac and Saturn represent the two other brands deep-sixed by GM.

Not Approved

Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machines Company, the proposed buyer for Hummer was a long shot for the brand anyway. As a maker of heavy duty equipment the company had no experience with automobiles. The Chinese government was never too keen about the deal, effectively nixing it by not extending their approval.

In the Feb. 24, 2010 issue of “The New York Times,” GM simply reported that the $150 million deal “cannot be completed.”

Once Hummer is out of the way, GM will be able to concentrate on its four core US brands—Cadillac, Buick, GMC and Chevrolet—as well as its foreign brands which include Holden, GM Daewoo, Opel and Vauxhall. At one time Hummer represented a highly profitable niche brand for GM but the military themed sport/utility vehicle brand was also criticized for producing cars known for their girth and lack of fuel efficiency.

Moving Forward

GM offered a one paragraph news release announcing the canceling of the deal and the closure of Hummer. As many as 13,000 jobs may be affected by the brand’s demise as that number includes a number of dealership positions. GM says that they will continue to honor Hummer warranties while also making available Hummer parts.

Like Hummer, Saab had also been for sale and appeared to headed to dissolution when its original buyer, Koenigsegg, backed out late last year. As GM announced that Saab would be shut down, Dutch exotic car maker Spyker expressed interest in buying the Swedish automaker. That deal nearly collapsed as well until GM announced in late January that they had reached terms with Spyker. Spyker then began to fast track the Saab sale through the European Union system gaining quick regulatory approval before closing on the deal this week.

In other GM news, the automaker announced that a third shift will be added to their Lordstown, Ohio plant in order to accommodate production of the compact Chevrolet Cruze. As a result of that decision, some 1200 jobs will be added, bringing the worker total there to 4500.

Source: General Motors

It probably should have not gotten to this point, but the Toyota Motor Corporation now finds itself battling its critics in order to salvage its once golden reputation.

Toyota Responds

After weeks of relentless government and media pounding, Toyota has been responding to these complaints by showing statistical proof that its cars are well within safety guidelines and that is has responded aggressively by temporarily removing from the market eight affected models and making repairs to customer vehicles.

In the Feb. 22, 2010 issue of “Automotive News,” Toyota division chief Bob Carter explained that it took just 13 complaints about sticky accelerators to lead Toyota to recall 2.3 million vehicles, suggesting that the criticism far exceeded what was warranted.

At the same time Carter made no mention of some 2200 other cases of vehicle acceleration dating back at least a decade. Research by consumer advocates including Sean Kane reveal at least two hundred Toyota wrecks over that time leading to as many as 19 fatalities.

Toyoda Testifies

Toyota President Akio Toyoda is set to testify this week before a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee this week about the recall which has now reached some 8.5 million vehicles globally.

Perhaps most damning for Toyota is an internal document submitted to the oversight committee where the company boasted that it saved itself $100 million by negotiating “an “equipment recall” of floor mats involving 55,000 Toyota Camry and Lexus ES350 vehicles in September 2007.” (see ABC News: Documents: Toyota Boasted Saving $100M on Recall) Critics have fastened on that memorandum as proof that Toyota placed profit ahead of customer safety.

Social Bomb

Toyota’s unfolding crisis points to a weakness that goes beyond safety. And that is the company’s handling of a response in the face of withering criticism. Ever since the runaway Lexus story erupted last August, killing a California family of four, the automaker has been playing defense if responding at all. That poor response and lack of preparation has fueled criticism as Toyota has given people the impression that they are above the law or simply do not care.

While some of the criticism suggests opponents are piling it on, Toyota waited months while their critics mounted a serious challenge to the way the automaker goes about doing its business. Twitter became the launching ground for attacks against Toyota with Toyota’s PR team offering a tepid response or watching silently as a handful of tweets soon became a torrent.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons

As much as the Toyota Motor Corporation desires to move beyond its recall issues, the Japanese automaker finds that there are enough hurdles in front of it to slow down its efforts.

Sales are down, customers are worried, and a recording device found in most Toyota, Lexus, and Scion models may hold important clues as to how these accidents happened. Unfortunately, Toyota has not been willing to share data found in these so-called “black boxes” mini and simpler versions of technology found in today’s jet airliners.

Black Boxes

Black box data is important because it often sheds light on what happened just before a car got into an accident. In this case, all of the runaway Toyota problems can be examined closer if Toyota would make its data available to federal regulators or law enforcement personnel.

General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler have black boxes too, but their data can be read by third party sources including via a tool developed by the Robert Bosch Corporation.

Those tools are used by the police, accident attorneys, and investigators to help determine why a car crashed. Ford, GM, and Chrysler provide licensing to third parties such as Bosch which increases transparency. Toyota, however, uses a proprietary system which means that their data can only be shared and analyzed with their permission or by court mandate.

Event Data Recorders

In the Aug. 23, 2006 issue of “CNN Money,” Peter Valdes-Dapena explained that black boxes, which are also called event data recorders (EDR), can be found in most new cars. In fact, the NHTSA requires that car manufacturers tell owners in their manuals if an EDR is present.

Unlike an airliner black box an EDR does not record voices, but it does record what was going on with a car the few seconds before and after an accident. That information may be just enough to help investigators determine exactly what caused an accident.

New York Accident

In the Jan. 27, 2010 issue of the Syracuse “Post-Standard,” accident investigators were eager to get at one particular black box as a result of a fatal November 2009 accident in Auburn, N.Y. That car, a 2010 Toyota Camry, raced out of control injuring the Toyota’s driver, while killing a driver who was hit by the runaway Toyota.

That investigation has been delayed because NHTSA intervention is necessary to get Toyota to release its black box data.

Resources

The Wall Street Journal: Toyota Woes Put Focus on Black Box

Catalin Matei, Senior Designer, Honda R&D Americas, Inc., describes the design of the 2011 Honda Odyssey Concept at the Chicago Auto Show.

When is a concept not really a concept? That depends on how you define the term.

If you mean concept, as in a motor vehicle that might some day go into production, then you’re talking about the traditional sense of the definition. But in Honda’s case the Honda Odyssey Concept–on display at the Chicago Auto Show–is something very close to the actual model that will go on sale this fall. Honda is using the concept label because they’re gauging everyone’s reaction to the next generation Odyssey and will make minor changes before the minivan goes into production.

In the Feb. 10, 2010 issue of  “USA Today, ” Chris Woodyard noted that the concept Odyssey is “…shorter than your standard family box, and has a sleek lightning bolt line along the side that makes the back windows slightly lower than the middle windows.”

Dynamic Styling

The Odyssey Concept is significantly removed from the traditional minivan styling with its low and wide posture, highlighted by what Honda calls a “lightning-bolt” beltline to further set apart the minivan’s profile. Compared to the current Odyssey, the Concept’s somewhat lower roofline (-1. inch) and wider stance ( 1.4 inch) gives rise to a sleeker, forceful and more dynamic presence with enhanced aerodynamics that help increase fuel mileage. Future enhancements to the actual production Odyssey’s cabin are meant to further expand the already accommodating room for occupants and cargo found in the current model.

“The Odyssey established its reputation by providing families with what they most want in a minivan – great functionality, an emphasis on safety and good fuel economy,” said Vicki Poponi, assistant vice president of American Honda product planning. “Odyssey then further delighted customers with its surprisingly engaging, fun-to-drive and dynamic nature. The next-generation Odyssey promises to take these strengths to a higher level while adding more style and personality.”

Sporty Presence

The steeply raked front and rear roof pillars, exclusive side-glass profile, bevled roof line, and tapered rear cabin appearance blend to generate a powerful and eye-catching look and feel from any angle. The lightning-bolt beltline dives toward the back of the van emphasizing the newest Odyssey’s stylish look and feel while boosting outward visibility for third-row occupants. Impressive body-to-wheel dimensions lessenthe perception of vertical height typical to most minivan models. Fender flares further highlight the vehicle’s strongly rooted and elegant identity. The concept vehicle’s projector beam head lamps, LED taillights and form-fit fog lights further increase the advanced quality of the design and style.

Improved aerodynamics and sophisticated powertrain engineering will certainly benefit the next-generation Odyssey’s improved fuel economy. The next generation Odyssey is likely to attain an EPA-estimated gas mileage rating of 19 city/28 highway mpg on select models as estimated by Honda.

American Designed

The Honda Odyssey is produced exclusively in Alabama by Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (using both domestic and globally sourced parts). Honda’s American design teams located in California and Ohio are spearheading development of the fourth generation Odyssey, now the best-selling minivan nameplate in the United States.

Source: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

The Kia Forte Koup is one of many new and upcoming cars on display at the 2010 North Carolina International Auto Expo in Raleigh

I took advantage of an opportunity to visit the North Carolina International Auto Expo in Raleigh on Thursday, the first of four days that the show is being held at the NC State Fairgrounds. By auto show standards the Raleigh event is quite small, but I did come across some decent finds which might make your visit worthwhile.

Though most of Auto Trends’ readers do not live anywhere near Raleigh, perhaps what I am about to share will encourage you to check out your local show when it arrives in your area.

In any case, the following are some of the notables for the 23rd running of the NC Auto Expo in no special order:

• Bright sunny skies and a cold wind greeted show visitors, but I was pleasantly surprised at the turn out. There seemed to be many more people in attendance this year than last.  Are we witnessing pent up customer demand?

• As usual, Toyota and General Motors shared space in the annex building. Toyota and Scion occupied about 40 percent of the space with Buick, GMC, Cadillac, and Chevrolet the remainder.

• Just one representative was on hand for Toyota and she stood behind a kiosk the entire time. It seems as if Toyota was maintaining a low profile for the show while Scion’s booth was the usual multimedia extravaganza replete with music, lights, and boxy cars.

• A white Buick LaCrosse attracted a lot of attention as did a red model on display nearby.

• Media talent Mark Roberts, known for his WRAL reporting and pitchman for Capital Ford was on hand. I was introduced to Mark and must say he is a pleasant and approachable guy.

• Meg Willett from Ford was on hand again.  We met for the first time last year and later arranged my test drives of the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Ford Taurus as well as working things out for me to get behind the wheel of a Lincoln MKT. Speaking of Ford, the 2011 Ford Fiesta was on display as was the 2011 Ford Mustang and 2011 Lincoln MKX.

• When I stopped by the Kia display I met Derek Bryant who is with the sales department of Kia of Raleigh. Derek and I discussed Kia’s remarkable market push which includes the Soul, Forte, and next generation Sorento. We also discussed the Kia Cadenza, an all new model replacing the Amanti, expecting to show up stateside later this year.

• Absent from the show were Mercedes, Volkswagen, BMW, and Audi. Honda/Acura, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Smart also stayed away. Infiniti, however, was present.

• As usual, Lexus set up its own display on the main floor showcasing the 2011 IS 350C as well as its hybrid 250h.

• Scheduled weekend attractions include an appearance by Scooby-Doo, a classic car display (Dorton Arena) and ongoing live radio shows.

• The GM Ride and Drive was not in place on Thursday although the accompanying brochure indicated that it was part of this year’s show.

• As in past years a display of Sheriff Highway Patrol Cars dating back to the early 1960s is on hand.

As I mentioned earlier this week, the sponsoring Wake County New Vehicle Dealers Association contributes a portion of show proceeds to nearly three dozen local charities. Over the past five years more than $175,000 has been contributed.

For additional show information please visit www.ncautoexpo.com.

Photo Credit: Kia Motors America, Inc.