2023 Canadian International AutoShow attendance surges 17%

People flocked to the 2023 Canadian International AutoShow (CIAS) in Toronto, making it a record-setting event.

Organizers say 350,214 people visited the Metro Toronto Convention Centre between between Feb. 16 and 26 to post the third-biggest total attendance in the show’s 50-year history. That's up 17 per cent over 2020's total of 334,194.

The most attended show on record was held in 2018, when 358,842 people showed up.

Numbers include media day and the VIP Gala.

People showed up in droves, despite an icy winter storm that walloped much of Ontario in the middle of the 10-event.

Returning after the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation in 2021 and 2022, the show set four daily attendance records, including 56,122 on Sunday, Feb. 19, a new record for the largest single-day audience in the history of the event.

“We met and overcame some significant challenges to put together the 2023 AutoShow, and we are more than pleased with the results,” CIAS General Manager Jason Campbell said in a statement. “Our manufacturer partners responded with a great selection of cars, including several seen in Canada, North America and even the world for the first time. 

“Many of the vehicles they showcased at the AutoShow are difficult to find in showrooms today which explains why we had such enthusiasm from our consumers to see the latest and greatest the industry has to offer.

“We said it last fall when we announced the AutoShow was returning, and it holds even more true today: We’re back!”

The show featured 20 brands, one global vehicle debut, a North American debut and nine Canadian debuts, along with more than 75 all-electric vehicles.

Meanwhile Grand Touring Automobiles and Pfaff Automotive showcased several luxury vehicles.

'IMMENSELY POPULAR' EV EXHIBIT

The show also had an indoor electric-vehicle test track ogranizers called “immensely popular.”

More than 15,000 show attendees — 6,000 of them behind the wheel — took an EV for a two-lap spin around the half-kilometre track, with 83 per cent of them driving an EV for the first time, CIAS said.

“We had interactive exhibits that proved incredibly popular with show attendees,” Campbell said. “Our special features continue to draw in fans.”

Project Arrow, the drivable electric prototype from a collaboration of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association and more than 50 of its members, was on display in Canada for the first time.

There were five concept vehicles from the manufacturers: the Buick Wildcat, Hyundai RN22e, Hyundai N Vision 74, Nissan ARIYA Surfwagon and Nissan NISMO Off Road Frontier V8.

'TOTAL AUTOMOTIVE EXPERIENCE'

One other testament to the size of crowds was the fact the on-site Lego store, part of an interactive Lego display featuring a life-size Lamborghini nearly ran out of bricks with days remaining on the schedule. They used 11 pallets of Lego by Feb. 23 and ordered a shipment of nine more pallets from their warehouse in Dallas.

At the time, Campbell called it a sign the crowds are back.

“There clearly continues to be strong interest in the AutoShow as a consumer engagement platform and great interest in the total automotive experience the auto show delivers,” Campbell said in his statement.