The 2003 Philadelphia International Auto Show Arrives in Style at the Pennsylvania Convention Center

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 26, 2002; Philadelphians -- start your engines! It's time for the 2003 Philadelphia International Auto Show which cruises into the Pennsylvania Convention Center January 11-19. Produced by the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia (ADAGP), the 2003 Philadelphia International Auto Show will feature more than 700 vehicles from more than 40 participating manufacturers.

Hundreds of vehicles including concept, classic, luxury, new production and exotics highlight this year's show. For the fourth year in a row, the ADAGP will donate one dollar from every ticket sold to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia as part of its Auto Dealers CARing for Kids community service program.

"This year's show is all about style," said Jay Haenn, 2003 Auto Show chairman and co-owner of Lansdale Chrysler Jeep. "For nine days, our show will serve as Philadelphia's largest new car `showroom,' offering a one-stop place to check out vehicles, whatever your taste or budget."

Debuts, Concepts, Exotics and New Production Vehicles!

Making East Coast debuts at this year's show will be the pre-production Cadillac XLR hard top convertible and the pre-production Audi RS6. Several other pre-production vehicles will also be on display, including the Buick Rainer, Chrysler Crossfire, Chrysler Pacifica, Chevrolet SSR, Lexus GX470 and Nissan Murano. New vehicles at the show will be Nissan's G35 Coupe, Motor Trend's 2003 Car of the Year, Honda's "Gen Y" vehicle, the Element, the BMW Z4, Volkswagen's Beetle Convertible, the Infiniti FX45 and Hummer's H2.

Concept vehicles, built by manufacturers to reflect the innovative design and styling in the exterior and interior of future vehicles, are always one of the main highlights at auto shows around the globe. Concepts making an appearance in Philadelphia this year include the Dodge Power Box, Jeep Willys2 and Cadillac IMAJ. Also on display will be Lexus' concept vehicle from the movie Minority Report, featuring Tom Cruise, as well as the company's yet-to-be-announced "Next Generation" vehicle (more information will be available after Jan. 5).

Also looking to the future with hybrid vehicles that combine conventional engines with the battery and electric motor of an electric vehicle will be Honda with its Insight and Toyota with the Prius. All are sure to excite any futuristic car buff in the crowd. Additional concept vehicles coming to the show will be announced shortly.

For those who "feel the need for speed," Ferrari's 360 GT Racer will be making a "speedy" stop at the show on Saturday Jan. 11th and Sunday Jan. 12th only. Those interested in seeing the cars of the rich and famous will enjoy the luxury vehicle display featuring the Bentley Arnage R, Bentley Arnage T and an Azure Convertible (courtesy of F.C. Kerbeck).

Several milestones will be marked at the show including Chevrolet celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Corvette. Buick and Ford Truck will celebrate centennial anniversaries.

Some additional highlights of the show include a vintage display from the Eastern U.S. Concours D'Elegance which will showcase a special 1969 Mercedes Benz Pullman 600 SWB Limousine, once owned by Elvis Presley in honor of the 25th anniversary of the King's death. Show-goers are also in for a treat with the addition of new exhibitor displays - Mini and Maserati - who are joining the Philadelphia International Auto Show for the first time. Mini will display the MINI Cooper and the MINI Cooper S. Maserati will showcase the Maserati Coupe and the convertible Spyder.

Features and Entertainment

Show-goers will enjoy special appearances and Q&A sessions from several all-star celebrities such as NASCAR Winston Cup Drivers Jimmie Johnson and Johnny Benson; Eagles Quarterbacks Koy Detmer and A.J. Feeley; Philadelphia Flyers Donald Brashear and Simon Gagne; and Country music stars Tanya Tucker and Steve Azar.

The celebrity schedule is as follows:

Monday, January 13 Tanya Tucker, Country Singer Time: Between 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Location: 92.5 XTU's Radio Booth, near the show floor Tucker will be signing autographs, answering questions and performing a short acoustic set. Courtesy of 92.5 XTU

Tuesday, January 14 Quarterbacks for the Philadelphia Eagles Koy Detmer and A.J. Feeley Time: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Location: Room 204 of the Convention Center

Wednesday, January 15 Philadelphia Flyers: #87 Left Wing Donald Brashear and #12 Left Wing Simon Gagne Time: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Location: Room 204 of the Convention Center

Wednesday, January 15 Steve Azar, Country Singer Time: Between 3 - 7 p.m. Location: 92.5 XTU's Radio Booth near the show floor Azar will be signing autographs, answering questions and performing a short acoustic set. Courtesy of 92.5 XTU

Thursday, January 16 Johnny Benson, NASCAR Winston Cup Driver of the #10 Valvoline Sponsored Pontiac Race Car Time: TBD Location: Room 204 of the Convention Center Courtesy of the Valvoline Company and Loos & Dilworth

Saturday, January 18 Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Winston Cup Series Driver of the #44 Lowe's sponsored Chevrolet Race Car Time: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Location: Room 204 of the Convention Center Courtesy of Quaker State and Jay Gress, Inc.

Auto Dealers CARing for Kids' Day and Black Tie Tail Gate Preview Gala

For more than a decade, the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia has supported the extraordinary work of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, one of the finest pediatric hospitals in the nation. This support is exhibited through the Association's contribution scheduled to reach $2.5 million by the year 2005. Last year, the ADAGP extended its involvement with children and unveiled Auto Dealers CARing for Kids, the formalized program in which the association supports Children's Hospital and other child- related causes in the Philadelphia five-county area.

For the fourth year in a row, the ADAGP will donate one dollar from every ticket sold to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Last year, thanks to record-breaking attendance at the show, the ADAGP donated more than $233,797 to The Children's Hospital.

On Friday evening, January 10, from 7-11:30 p.m., the ADAGP will host the Black Tie Tailgate Preview Gala. For just $125 per person, guests can preview the show before it opens to the public and enjoy food, drink and entertainment. Proceeds benefit The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Day will be held on Sunday, January 19, offering all children age 12 and under free admission when accompanied by an adult. A host of popular children's characters will meet and greet the whole family. Free digital finger printing and face painting will also be available. The Auto Dealers CARing for Kids' Room will be open daily and is equipped with fun activities such as miniature pedal cars and video games.

About the Show The 2003 Philadelphia International Auto Show hours are: noon to 10 p.m. on weekdays 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays

Box office admission, at the show, is $10.00 for adults, $6.00 for children (7-12) and free for children six and under. Senior citizens (62 and over) receive a special admission price of $6.00 on weekdays only.

Discounted Tickets Available through SEPTA

Through a partnership with SEPTA, discounted tickets for the 2003 Philadelphia International Auto Show are now available at 75 SEPTA sales offices throughout the Delaware Valley. Discounted ticket prices are $8.00 for adult admission - a $2 discount compared to same-day, box office prices. Tickets can be redeemed for admission to the Auto Show, weekdays, January 13- 17. SEPTA and the ADAGP are also making available a "Turbo Pass" that can be purchased for an additional $8.00 which entitles riders to unlimited, one-day travel on SEPTA buses, trolleys and trains from January 11-19. "Turbo Passes" are not valid on SEPTA Regional Rail Trains arriving in Center City Philadelphia prior to 9:30 a.m.

Advance discounted tickets and the "Turbo Pass" are available at 75 SEPTA locations, including: SEPTA 15th Street Store; SEPTA 69th & Market Street Sales Office; SEPTA Broad Street & Olney Avenue Sales Office; SEPTA Transit Museum Store at 1234 Market Street, Lobby; SEPTA Railroad Ticket Offices.

Advance tickets are also available at the PNC Bank Branch located in the lobby of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

For more information about the 2003 Philadelphia International Auto Show, visit the show's official Web site at www.phillyautoshow.com. For information about the Black Tie Tailgate Preview Gala, visit www.blacktietailgate.com.

About the ADAGP

The ADAGP, established in 1904, is the oldest association of its kind in the nation. The association, comprised of 220 franchised new car and truck dealers throughout the Greater Philadelphia area, leads lobbying efforts, provides education and training seminars, conducts a Sales Training Academy to recruit new individuals into the retail automotive industry, and owns and produces the Philadelphia International Auto Show.