New Name. New Dates.  Same Great Auto Show!
The Dallas Fort Worth Metropolitan New Car Dealers Association (DFW NCDA) is ringing in the holidays with not only a new name for its Fort Worth Auto Show, but new dates as well. The new DFW Auto Show in Fort Worth will now be held in December, but Show Chairman Jim Hardick promises that visitors can expect the same quality event that they have enjoyed in the past.

“We are very excited to be hosting the DFW Auto Show in Fort Worth, Dec. 6-9 at the Fort Worth Convention Center,” Hardick said. “The timing is actually really ideal as it will be one of the first opportunities for local auto enthusiasts to see the manufacturers’ 2013 lineups in one location.”

Energy efficient will be the “buzz phrase” at the DFW Auto Show in Fort Worth this year with many manufacturers expected to highlight their hybrids, all-electric and low emissions vehicles. And as Texas’ love affair with the pick up truck continues, manufacturers are sure to shine the spotlight on these popular vehicles in their exhibits.  There also will be more than 300 other luxury sedans, SUVs, CUVs, minivans and compact cars.

“Manufacturers are listening to the needs of consumers for vehicles with increased fuel efficiency and safety features, more technological advances, and improved performance. The DFW Auto Show in Fort Worth is just a terrific venue for serious car shoppers to compare the styling and pricing of hundreds of new vehicles, all under one roof,” Hardick said.

Returning to the DFW Auto Show in Fort Worth will be Nissan and Infiniti. “For more than a century, Sewell has been dedicated to offering outstanding personal service and we are proud of our history in Fort Worth. In fact, it was our desire to serve the community on a whole new level that inspired us to build a state of the art Infiniti facility. We’re happy to be part of the city and this year’s Fort Worth Auto Show, where we look forward to introducing residents to the newest Infiniti models and, more importantly, the Sewell Difference,” said Greg Warrick, general manager of Sewell Infiniti of Fort Worth.

2012 Ride & Drive Event
Consumers will be invited to actually test drive some of your favorite cars, trucks and SUVS from the 2013 Ford lineup such as the C-Max, Edge, Escape, Explorer, F-150, Focus, F-series Super Duty, Mustang and Taurus at the Ride & Drive event.  The Ride & Drive will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9. Participants must be 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.

“Ford is excited about the wide variety of vehicles at the 2012 DFW Auto Show Ride & Drive event. The 2013 C-MAX Hybrid gets 47 miles per gallon. In its first month on the market, it is the best-selling hybrid utility vehicle – outselling the Toyota Prius v,” said Scott Campbell, Ford Dallas regional sales manager.

Teddy Bear Drop Off
The DFW Auto Show in Fort Worth also is bringing community awareness to the 2012 DFW Auto Show in Fort Worth as it joins forces with The Women’s Center of Tarrant County. Visitors to the DFW Auto Show in Fort Worth may donate new Teddy Bears to benefit The Women’s Center of Tarrant County. According to the organization the volunteers and staff of the Rape Crisis and Victim Services program have counseled more than 1,000 victims and loved ones at local hospital rape exam sites, and every time clients were given teddy bears.

“No matter the age, these bears are given as something they can hold on to and comfort them during one of the worst traumas they have ever experienced. By providing teddy bears for these individuals, The Women’s Center is able to bring the stress level down and start the healing process,” said Nadia DiStefano, volunteer coordinator for The Women’s Center of Tarrant County.

“This is the season for giving,” Hardick added, “so we hope that anyone planning on visiting the Show will take the time to pick up a Teddy Bear while they are doing their own holiday shopping to donate to this worthwhile organization.”

Kids’ Day Event
New to the DFW Auto Show in Fort Worth this year is Kids’ Day set for 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8 in the Annex of the Fort Worth Convention Center. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to this fun-filled event where various organizations and companies from around the Metroplex will provide entertainment and activities for kids of all ages. The main event will be the Tot-obahn™ where kids will have the opportunity to “test drive” everything from battery-powered Ford F150s and Audi R8 Spyders to a variety of Little Tike kid-powered vehicles. And with Christmas just around the corner, children will be treated to a visit from Santa Claus.

Also on Saturday will be the Memory Lane Classic Car Show where a fleet of more than 50 of the finest original and modified vehicles owned by local auto enthusiasts will be on display. This historical exhibit of American-made automobiles will feature an assortment of classes from the earliest ’30 hotrods to the late ’70 muscle cars and mopars. In addition, there will be a “People’s Choice” award voted on by the public.

Show Hours:
1 to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 6 and 7
10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9.

Tickets are $11 for adults, $5 for senior citizens 65 and older and children 6 to 12 years old, and children 5 and under are admitted free. $1 discount coupons are available at participating franchised new car dealerships. For more information, visit ftworthautoshow.com.