Hundreds of car-lovers flocked to the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in droves, fueled by a desire to see the latest car models and hear about some of the new car features.
The 2013 North Carolina International Auto Expo opened its doors to the public on Valentine’s Day. For four days, it showcased cars from more than 15 brands within more than 150,000 square feet of space. In addition to bringing together car manufacturers with customers, the Wake County New Vehicle Dealers Association, which helped to host the show, raised funds for charities based in the Triangle area.
Since 2006, the organization reported it has donated more than $280,000 to charities including Make-A-Wish Foundation, The Foundation of Hope for Research and Treatment of Mental Illness, the WakeMed Foundation, the Wake Tech Foundation and the North Carolina Museum of History.
According to John McGraw, the executive director of the Wake County New Vehicle Dealers Association, charity has been a very important aspect of it, and moving the show from the Civic Center to the Fairgrounds in 2005 has helped this cause.
McGraw, who has seen the auto show grow and evolve for more than 25 years, said this year’s show also offered insight into some trends within the auto industry.
“Every year has something different,” McGraw said. “It’s a lot of different technology. Muscle cars are back again. Family cars are back again. Cars that get 40 mpg are back again. I love all of the manufacturers.”
Keleigh Yelverton, a senior in fisheries and wildlife science, and Cameron Cox, a sophomore in environmental technology, also shared a similar love of cars. The two attended the show on Friday and said they came because it was a lot of fun.
Yelverton said she enjoyed sitting in various cars and seeing the new models from brands like Fiat. Cox hoped to be able to test drive some cars.
“I’ve been around cars all my life,” Cox said. “I love them. I missed it last year, so I really wanted to make it this year and attend before all the crowds hit. I come [to these events] because of the emotions that [cars] bring. I can’t really explain it.”
The 2012 Lexus LFA was a headline at the North Carolina International Auto Expo at the N.C. Fairgrounds. The expo was put on by the Wake County New Vehicle Dealers Association and showcased a variety of domestic and foreign automobiles. The LFA boasts a V10 engine and costs over $300,000. Photo by Chris Rupert
