The 20th annual Peoria Automotive Show, held April 3-5 this year at the Peoira Civic Center in downtown Peoria, Illinois, featured 37 Peoria car dealers displaying more than 300 vehicles at the Peoria Civic Center. While people attending the show are not there to purchase, organizers say that is not the intent. Rather, Peoria car dealers display their newest and best vehicles in a family-friendly, no-pressure atmosphere that allows future car buyers to enjoy experiencing vehicles in a festive environment.
Event organizers said the show did not seem to be any less attended due to the lagging economy, and, in fact, said they thought this year's show was one of the most successful in the event's history. Peoria car dealers are optimistic the show's foot traffic will pique the interest of Peoria car buyers and translate to new vehicle sales.
One of the most popular cars making an appearance was the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, which was named by Car and Driver as one of the biggest debuts at the Chicago Auto Show in March. Local Peoria Buick car dealer, Heritage Buick, says the car has been receiving a lot of deserved attention and become one of the dealership's top sellers.
Another car making a splash was the newly redesigned Mazda 3, an already-popular auto that was turning heads with its new body. A top seller for several years, the Mazda 3 appeared to draw in even more car enthusiasts at the show, according to the Peoria Mazda car dealer at the event.
Judging by the traffic hitting dealerships in the days after the show's end, Peoria dealerships are happy with the results. Peoria Buick car dealer Heritage Buick reported a spike in customers at its Peoria dealership during the week following the auto show partially due to the huge 2010 Buick LaCrosse debut. And they were not the only Peoria dealership to report encouraging results, as several other Peoria car dealers showed high car buyer turnout, likely resulting from the event.
The auto show has always been an important boon to the local auto industry as dealers enter the spring season, their best time of year for new car sales. The show's impact this year may prove even more important than in years past, as Peoria dealerships attempt to climb out of a very deep sales hole in the early months of 2009 brought on by slow economic activity.
Sales managers at the Peoria Buick car dealer added that they look forward to the event every year, saying it is a great way to get their new vehicles out into the public, where car buyers can see new designs and technologies in the comfort and fun of a ?carnival-type event.?
It is that carnival-like atmosphere that seems to make the Central Illinois Auto Show a success each year, drawing thousands of area families to the Peoria Civic Center to view magic shows, meet Sponge Bob Square Pants, get faces painted, look up at stilt-walkers, and, yes, look at cars, too.
