Visitors can get a taste of the future this week at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Though they have been placed on the back burner in light of a new president and failing economy, climate change and the auto industry have long been a big question mark in people's minds. By stopping by the Washington Auto Show, one can see what's cooking with carmakers.
The event started Wednesday and will continue through Sunday. Tickets cost $10 during the week and bump up to $12 for weekend visits. Located a few blocks from the Mt. Vernon/Convention Center Metrorail station (yellow and green lines) or the Chinatown Metrorail station (red, green and yellow lines), the show is easily accessible - even for those without a car.
Nearly every car company imaginable will be partaking in the event, which holds more than 700 new cars from more than 42 companies. Brands from BMW and Audi to American names such as Ford and GMC will be at D.C.'s largest public show, according to the event's Web site.
"Given its staging in the heart of Washington political season, the show has increasingly garnered national and international spotlight and drawn on the capital's high-profile visitors," the Web site said. "More new models, more concepts and prototypes, more high-tech breakthroughs and more entertainment, celebrity guests and contests await this year's visitors."
The Washington Auto Show is both an event for the public and for public servants. This past year, the show was moved to two weeks after inauguration in order to act as an update for Congress about the current state of the auto world. One would expect this year to be of special importance to the auto industry, too, in light of the industry's recent financial trouble.
Among the vehicle lineup will be Ford's new concept car, the Verve. Built to model the small cars Ford has, for years, offered to European buyers, the Ford Verve is one step in the right direction for the company. A model geared toward a new generation, the Verve is a sleek, small car that comes in both a two- or four-door models.
Another concept vehicle to check out is Saturn's Flextreme. The futuristic vehicle is the result of collaboration between Saturn and GM. This group effort resulted in a car that can travel up to 34 miles using electricity only, and can be charged in a regular household outlet in about three hours. The four-seater is definitely an American car to hope for in the future.
Though the convention center will be packed with cars to look at, there will be many local celebrities to spy, too. From the Redskins' cheerleaders, Jason Campbell and Antwaan Randel-El to famous billiard babe Jeanette Lee, well-known faces will be around the convention center throughout the event.
The full line-up of cars and celebrities is available at the event's Web site, www.washingtonautoshow.com, along with descriptions of all the cars that will be on display.
You can reach this staff writer at kboghosian@theeagleonline.com.
