Mark Your Calendar - The SFI Auto Show Is Coming!

MIAMI, Sept. 30 -- As you cruise along the strip called Ocean Drive, you are bound to see all kinds of hot rides parked in front of Miami Beach's most popular hotels and restaurants. Whether you are a car fanatic or not, you can't help but stare.

Stare all you want at this year's 34th annual South Florida International Auto Show, scheduled for November 5-14 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, and you'll see the latest and hottest cars, trucks and accessories. You may even be able to sit inside one of the newest models at the show.

The long-awaited event, recognized as one of the nation's foremost auto exhibitions, will feature more than 1,000 of the industry's finest and, in many cases, yet-to-be-seen vehicles for 2005. Last year's show featured the North American debut of BMW's X3 mid-sized sport activity vehicle, a special- edition Bentley Arnage and America's fastest production car, the Saleen S7, just to name a few.

"It will be exciting to have the media, car manufacturers and South Floridians together in one building to experience the latest in the automobile industry," said Loren Sheffer, auto show chairman. "The show has been going strong for 33 years because of these people, and it's only going to get better."

More than 660,000 people traditionally attend this automotive extravaganza, making it one of the largest shows in the country. Last year's attendance of 663,989 people topped the previous show's attendance of 654,052.

Visitors enjoy more than the new models displayed throughout the nearly one million square feet of exhibit space at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Memory Lane, presented by the Antique Club of America's South Florida Region, takes visitors on a journey into the past spotlighting the cars of yesteryear. Million Dollar Alley features the most exotic and luxurious motorcars. Car Boutique offers a plethora of auto accessories and Motorcycle Row has a stunning selection of motorcycles on display.

The South Florida Auto-Truck Dealers Association, which comprises more than 220 dealerships in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties, has been the official sponsor of the South Florida International Auto Show since 1971.

For more information on this year's event, contact Show Coordinator Cliff Ray at 305-947-5950 or visit the auto show's web site, http://www.sfliautoshow.com/ .