California International Auto Show Revs Up at Anaheim Convention Center

With the 2000 model year upon us, Southland consumers can get their first look at hundreds of new cars and trucks all under one roof next week at the fourth annual California International Auto Show.

Thirty-nine manufacturers will present more than 500 passenger cars, pickups, minivans and sport-utility vehicles Wednesday through Oct. 24 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Among the 2000--and even a few 2001 models-- scheduled to be shown are BMW’s first SUV, the X5; the Buick Century 2000 sedan; Ford’s 2000 Focus coupe and 2001 Explorer Sport SUV; the Honda Insight gas-electric hybrid; the 2000 Saab 9-3 Viggen convertible; and Toyota’s 2000 Celica sports coupe and 2001 Prius gas-electric hybrid.

A Millennium Pavilion will showcase advances in automotive design and technology and present futuristic concept vehicles from several manufacturers. Smaller displays will feature luxury dream machines from Ferrari and Lamborghini and classic cars from the Petersen Automotive Museum.

The show is presented by the Orange County Automobile Dealers Assn. and the Long Beach-based Southland Motor Car Dealers Assn. and sponsored by The Times. For the first time, the event is being produced by Motor Trend magazine, whose parent company, EMAP Petersen Inc., acquired the show’s manager, Liberty Productions, in May.

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* California International Auto Show, Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W. Katella Ave. Wednesday, 4 to 10 p.m.; Oct. 21-23, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Adults, $8; senior citizens 55 and older, $5; children 7-15, $4. (714) 765-8950; https://www.autoshowusa.com/anaheim.

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* NEXT WEEK: Highway 1 catalogs the 2000 model year vehicles. Plus: Paul Dean reviews the Honda Insight.