After 104 years, one might expect Philadelphia's annual auto show to be getting old. This year, though, the event is appealing to a younger audience.
The show -- held in Center City's Pennsylvania Convention Center from Feb. 5 through Sunday -- features the addition of the "tuner salon," which consists of two rooms dedicated to the display of heavily modified vehicles.
This feature has rejuvenated interest in the show, giving the younger, Fast and the Furious crowd something to get excited about.
Penn's automobile enthusiasts are excited about many aspects of this year's show, especially the tuner salon.
Wharton junior Phillip Mantecon visited the show on its opening day.
A showgoer for the past three years, he was most impressed with the new Chevrolet Corvette, a blisteringly powerful car with power befitting its fabled heritage -- its 6.0L V-8 produces 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque.
College sophomore Austin Perera also thought that the Corvette was the best car in the show.
While the Corvette provides exotic-car performance for the masses, Perera also enjoyed the displays of true exotics from the likes of Porsche, Bentley and Rolls-Royce.
The show "was better than last year," Perera said, mainly because of the strong showing of exotics -- very expensive cars that are produced in limited quantities.
The exposition -- host to about 700 vehicles from more than 40 manufacturers -- charges an admission fee for adults -- $10 on weekdays and $12 on weekends.
One key to the show's success is its accessibility; the Convention Center is located near the Market East SEPTA station, which connects to many of SEPTA's primary thoroughfares.
Mantecon and Perera used public transportation and found it hassle-free.
The site is accessible from Penn's campus via the Market-Frankford subway and the Green Line trolleys, as well as several bus routes.
SEPTA also makes the auto show experience easier for visitors from more distant locales.
Richard Stover and Tracy Wilson used the regional rail system to come to Center City from Hatfield, Pa.
"It's easy to get here with public transportation," Wilson said, noting that accessibility is one major advantage to the Convention Center site.
The ease of reaching the show helps to make it an annual ritual for many faithful showgoers.
"I try to make it every year," Stover said.
While some may visit the show to research vehicles for a potential future purchase, many just like to dream.
Sixteen-year-old Sarah Whomsley and her friend Tiffany Haferal took a train from Berlin, N.J., to see cars that are admittedly out of reach.
"We can't buy the cars, but it's still cool to look at" them, Whomsley said.
The dreaming, though, is not entirely one-sided. Automakers dream of attracting potential buyers, both old and young, with innovative marketing techniques.
Along with the myriad brochures and pamphlets, more creative approaches make up part of many manufacturers' campaigns.
Chrysler has employees offer to snap digital photos of guests with the manufacturer's cars. After the show, Chrysler photographer Alexandra Suttell explained, visitors can go to a Web site and use a code that allows them to view or print the pictures from the show.
Other manufacturers use different methods to appeal to their target audience. Subaru, for instance, had a display in the tuner salon, as well as in the main display area.
Many manufacturers use the show to create buzz about vehicles to be released in the future.
The Saturn Sky, a sleek roadster, and the Mercedes CLS Series, a new sports sedan, were on display despite not being in showrooms yet.
It seems the show is the perfect symbiosis between car-lovers and manufacturers. A third party, though, may have more to gain than either of these groups: the city of Philadelphia.
Kevin Mazzucola, executive director of the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia -- the group that organizes the event -- said in a press release that exit surveys from last year's show indicated a $25 million impact on the region.
As if car lovers needed another reason to see the show, ADAGP donates $1 of the proceeds from each ticket sold to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia through the CARing for Kids program.
