Alliance Helps Raise Auto Show’s Profile

The 2000 Nissan Xterra was named Motor Trend magazine’s sport-utility vehicle of the year Wednesday at the fourth annual California International Auto Show in Anaheim.

But that’s not necessarily the biggest news contained in the announcement by EMAP Petersen Inc., Motor Trend’s publisher. After all, the Xterra has generally won high marks from the auto press and has played a big part in Nissan’s improved U.S. sales this year. And with the end of the year approaching, all the auto “buff books” can be expected to roll out their best-of picks for ’99 and ’00.

The longer-term story may lie instead in the partnership created by EMAP’s acquisition earlier this year of Liberty Productions, which produces the Anaheim show and 15 others around the country.

“There’s a lot more awareness of the show because of Motor Trend’s involvement,” said Kevin Allen, executive director of the Orange County Automobile Dealers Assn., which presents the show with the Long Beach-based Southland Motor Car Dealers Assn.

The show, which continues through Sunday, is again sponsored by the Los Angeles Times.

The Motor Trend connection has helped increase media coverage and consumer awareness, Allen said, and contributed to an anticipated boost in attendance to about 400,000 this year, up 12% from 358,000 last year.

While it still may not pack the industry clout of “the real powerhouses on the U.S. circuit,” said AutoPacific analyst Jim Hossack, referring to the early-2000 shows in Detroit, New York and Los Angeles, the Anaheim show “is good for consumers and dealers.”

Indeed, its timing at the traditional October start of the model year offers consumers a first look at most of the new-for-2000 cars and trucks under one roof.

Think of it as a 39-brand, 500-model auto mall without salespeople; an in-person, kick-the-tires alternative to the most comprehensive Internet car-shopping service; and a chance for buyers on a starter-car budget to ogle at the high end of the market.

Among the new models on view are BMW’s first SUV, the X5; the Buick Century 2000 sedan; Ford’s Focus coupe; the Honda Insight gas-electric hybrid; and Toyota’s Celica sports coupe.

* California International Auto Show, Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W. Katella Ave. Continues today through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Adults, $8; 55 and older, $5; children 7-15, $4. (714) 765-8950. https://www.autoshowusa.com/anaheim.

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