With electric vehicles making up about 28% of new vehicle sales in Orange County, it’s to be expected that “EVs” will once again make up a significant portion of the new vehicles on display at this week’s OC Auto Show in Anaheim.
More EVs are sold in Orange County than in nearly every state in the country and the inventory that will be showcased reflects that, said John Sackrison, executive director of the Orange County Automobile Dealers Association, organizer of the annual auto show that opens Thursday, Oct. 5, at the Anaheim Convention Center and runs through Sunday.
However, not everyone is in the market for an electric vehicle, Sackrison said, so hundreds of other new cars, SUVs, crossovers, trucks and concept vehicles, including hybrids and fuel cells and traditional internal combustion engines will be on display.
“There’s something for everyone at the show and to learn and figure out, with gas prices as high as they are, what makes sense for me, what works for my family,” he said.
The show features a “non-selling environment” and visitors can sit behind the wheel of vehicles that interest them, kick the tires and check out the new technology a variety of models are offering.
Several vehicles will make their Orange County debut at the show – the Ford Mustang Dark Horse among them.
After testing the Mustang Dark Horse, Car and Driver magazine described the vehicle as “an evolution of the spectacular outgoing Ford Mustang Mach 1. And that car, the quickest in our Lightning Lap LL2 category (for cars under $75,000), isn’t a bad place to start.”
The Lexus TX hybrid SUV is also making its OC debut at the show. MotorTrend magazine described the TX as having “a refined look inside and out, with technology at its forefront thanks to two electrified variants with either V-6 power or a turbocharged I-4.”
Other all-new models drivers can check out in Anaheim will be the Audi Q8-E-tron, BMW XM, KIA EV9, Honda Prologue and Lexus GX.
High-performance hybrids at the show will include the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, which accelerates from zero to 60 in 2.5 seconds, the quickest ever for a Corvette.
Concept vehicles at the show will include the Grand Wagoneer Overland Concept and the Nissan Ariya Surf Wagon Concept, an all-electric, futuristic rendition of the beach-style “woodie” wagons from the 1940s and ’50s, crafted with custom vinyl wrap wood paneling and chrome trim, described by TopGear Magazine as being “all kinds of awesome.”
An exotic vehicle display of ultra-high-end vehicles from Lamborghini and McLaren also return to the show.
For the second year, the SoCal Electrified Ride Experience will feature a massive indoor electric vehicle test track and EV learning center. Professional drivers will be taking people on rides to demonstrate several of the new EV options on the market.
The always popular off-road test track at Camp Jeep will be open and there will also be driving simulators.
An Automotive Technology Career Day is taking place on Thursday, Oct. 5, with hundreds of high school and college students having the chance to learn about career opportunities and certificate and degree programs in the automotive field available at local colleges.
This will be the kickoff event for a statewide tour of the program presented by the California New Car Dealers Association Foundation, Sackrison said.
“There’s a huge need for these talented young men and women and we want to give them the opportunity to learn more about our industry and there’s no better place than at the auto show,” he said.
Several family friendly activities, such as a kids scavenger hunt, are also planned. And, kids can test their driving skills at a mini electric car driving area.
Admission is free for children 12 who are accompanied by a paying adult.
Attendees who are surveyed always list seeing all the new vehicles in one place as their No.1 reason for attending the show, Sackrison said. “But No. 2 is to have a fun day out.”
