February 15, 2001

2001 Canadian International AutoShow officially opens

Toronto, Ontario - The 2001 Canadian International AutoShow made its official O.I.C.A. sanctioned international debut on Wednesday with a spectacular multi-media dance and laser light extravaganza by a young and energetic group of tap dancers known as The Next Step.

Mr. Ernst H. Lieb, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada spoke on behalf of car manufacturers in Canada as he officially opened the show. He stressed that the industry will constantly change and adapt to keep up with changing markets and consumer expectations. The development of future cars will be driven and shaped by the rapidly advancing information revolution; the need for renewable energy and recyclable materials and the steadily growing need for personal transportation.

Mr. Firoz Rasul, President and CEO of Ballard Power Systems, was keynote speaker of the opening ceremonies. In keeping with the "Going Green..." theme of this year's show, Mr. Rasul focused on the challenges and opportunities presented by the development of new automotive technologies as governments, auto makers, and companies such as Ballard strive to address one of the most pressing problems of our time: global warming and air pollution. Fuel cell vehicles offer the best long-term alternative while hybrid vehicles will succeed as a half measure as we move towards the replacement of internal combustion engines with pure electric systems.

Dr. Emilio di Camilo, president of the Organisation international des constructeurs d'automobiles" (O.I.C.A.) attended the ceremonies and welcomed Toronto and Canada to the elite group of world renowned auto shows such as Detroit, Paris, Frankfurt, Tokyo and Geneva. 2001 Show President Gerd Reisenecker summed up the excitement of the OICA accreditation stating, "The Canadian International AutoShow will create its own niche in the world of international shows. We will take a leadership position by executing on the international stage what we have traditionally set out to do nationally: present the "Total Automotive Experience".

The 2001 Canadian International AutoShow opens to the public this Friday, February 16th at 10:30 am and runs until Sunday, February 25th. Traditional show favourites, the Wynn's Classic Collection, featuring over 30 automotive icons from other eras, and the 4x4 Test Track are back once again. So are "AutoWorld," now back in the SkyDome, which also hosts a spectacular Bonneville Salt Flats display, and the "Art of the Automobile" exhibit in the South MTCC.

Of course, the show floors feature almost every current car and truck imaginable, as well as many that will be arriving at dealerships in the near future. A host of further-out concept vehicles truly stretch the imagination - as does the Michelin Design Centre and laser light show.

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