Some automakers are dropping smaller-market shows in Canada, but putting cars in front of large crowds is still a critical core value. While attendance in Ottawa “was bursting at the seams” this year, it was down slightly in Toronto and Vancouver.

Only longstanding holdout Kia and some low-volume brands such as Rolls-Royce were absent from the Ottawa Gatineau International Auto Show this year.

Attendance at the Canadian International AutoShow (CIAS) in Toronto was down slightly to 357,745, missing the all-time mark by just 1,000 visitors. However, gaming and social media helped boost the show's online impressions.

Canadian industry executives gathered in Toronto for the Canadian International AutoShow grappled with the future of auto shows, which they said are becoming more retail-oriented and less focused on flashy reveals and media event.

Even though the Toyota Prius AWD-e costs $1,000 more than the two-wheel-drive version of the all-electric vehicle, Toyota expects it to grab 65 per cent of total Prius sales.

Several new all-electric vehicles made their Canadian debuts at the 2019 Canadian International AutoShow on Thursday, as car companies demonstrate the very real extent to which the industry is turning a corner on alternative propulsion.

The Jaguar I-Pace crossover and Kia Stinger sedan have been voted by journalists as the Canadian utility and car of the year. The I-Pace is assembled by Magna Steyr, a subsidiary of Canadian parts giant Magna International.

Michael Kopke, director of marketing for Kia Canada, says the brand’s desire to do things differently, such as vehicle launches separate from the auto show, stems from the automaker’s internal culture of "constant reinvention."

Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Mini are withdrawing corporate support for at least four auto shows in Canada next year. The automakers are leaving it up to the dealers to decide whether they will participate in shows in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Quebec City.

In a market that's tilted 70-30 toward light trucks, why does Toyota bother to invest in cars? Because in that smaller market, Toyota is a giant. And it has even more elbow room now that the Detroit 3 have decided to vacate several car segments.