2005 Canadian International Auto Show a Success

Design Forum Puts CIAS on the International Map

The Canadian International Auto Show has come and gone, and despite its timeslot on the calendar was a success. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

February has passed, and with it the 2005 edition of the annual Canadian International Auto Show which takes place in the heart of downtown Toronto. The various show floors cover a massive 850,000 square feet of gearhead heaven.

While the CIAS is an international event, its February timeslot has it rubbing shoulders with the Chicago Auto Show, and while Chicago isn't on the international scene it has become one of the most important shows in the U.S., fourth in place behind Detroit, Los Angeles and New York.

What this means for the CIAS is

Many concepts previously shown at more established international shows were on hand at the CIAS. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

that Vancouver's Pacific International Auto Show, scheduled for early April and well out of the way of other international events, is more likely to get a few new concepts and next-generation models than the larger, more significant Toronto-based event.

What does this mean? Well, if you were lucky enough to attend Detroit and Chicago, there wasn't much new to see. It did, however, offer a walk down memory lane, in more ways that one. Many concepts previously shown at more established international shows were on hand at the CIAS, such as Ford's Lightning concept, Lexus' LF-X crossover, Toyota's FTX pickup and others.