Southern California Car Dealers Try Mass Test Drive Event to Stimulate Interest and Sales

A New Breed of Auto Show Comes to the Long Beach Convention Center

EDITOR'S NOTE: Comparison test-drive events are not really new, although they have been mostly staged by manufacturers rather than dealers. However, The Auto Channel thinks it's a great step, and that it's something that should be incorporated into all of the smaller shows as it would actually give some value to the smaller new cars shows, which are usually nothing more than dealership tent sales. And while dealership tent sales are okay, they're not okay when potential customers have to pay for parking and entry. To get something out of your $20 (or whatever the price) like the opportunity to really compare vehicles, it could be a great help to consumers.

LONG BEACH, CA - July 8, 2011: The Southland Motor Car Dealers Association (SMCDA) announced today that it will host a revolutionary auto show experience allowing consumers to test drive a stable of hot, new vehicles - from multiple manufacturers - on the same streets used for the Long Beach Grand Prix.

Test drive route for the So Cal Ride & Drive event

Billed as "The So Cal Ride and Drive New Car Show," the Test Drive Experience is a hands-on, three-day exhibit that will be staged indoors at the Long Beach Convention Center June 15-17, 2012 and will have the look and feel of an auto show. Show attendees who wish to experience cutting-edge motor performance will register at a single location for access to any of the show's featured test drive vehicles.

Traditionally, auto show test-drive venues consist of limited space in which only a few manufacturers can feature test drives. Show attendees must register for each test drive separately and in each manufacturer's designated area. By contrast, the Test Drive Experience will take place in an open, indoor staging area that allows consumers to easily compare cars from all participating manufacturers with a single, all-inclusive registration.

"It's all about getting people behind the wheel of the car," explains Todd Leutheuser, the show's executive director. "We see this as the next step in the evolution of the traditional auto shows' 'ride and drive' exhibits."

• SEE ALSO: Complete buyers guides, pricing, and reviews

The Southland Motor Car Dealers Association is one of 65 metropolitan new car dealers associations in the U.S. and represents the dealers of Southern Los Angeles County. For the past 15 years, the SMCDA has co-owned and represented 1/3 of the dealer support for the Orange County Auto Show located in Anaheim, Calif.

Website www.socalrideanddrive.com

SOURCE Southland Motor Car Dealers Association