CHICAGO (WLS) — Thursday is media preview day at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show.
Both showroom halls will be open this year featuring nearly 1,000 vehicles, making it the perfect place for consumers.
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“With recent inventory levels plummeting, they’re rising back, the market’s getting better but we’re not quite there yet, but all these brand new vehicles are under one roof, which is the best way to cross shop,” said Jennifer Morand, president and general manager of the Chicago Auto Show.
That’s especially true when it comes to electric vehicles. This year’s auto show has plenty of ways to learn about EVs, from the massive 100,000-square-foot test track to the different types of EVs and what it takes to own one.
“We have our charging partner here called Autel, they can tell you what you need to know if you’re looking to purchase and EV or lease one, what you need in your garage for example, so lots of educational opportunities at the auto show this year,” Morand said.
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Fan favorite Camp Jeep is celebrating their 19th anniversary this year, and they are expecting their 3 millionth rider this weekend! Is there swag is somebody’s future?
Regardless, the test tracks are incredibly popular here at the show and this year there are more than ever, seven to be exact. Add to that the outdoor test drives, and that’s 50 to 60 different vehicles to experience!
Concept cars are back at the show too, including the Chrysler Airflow EV concept and the futuristic Buick Wildcat concept that will only be on the showroom floor this weekend.
Of course there are plenty of interactive exhibits, the latest in safety, AI and VR and we’ll continue to break it down for you over the next week and a half!
Family-friendly SUVs to see at Chicago Auto Show
As a new parent, ABC7’s Christian Piekos checked out family-friendly SUVs at this year’s auto show. He stopped by Volkswagen first.
“We’ve got the electric ID4, we’ve got the Tiguan and then we have the Taos,” Volkswagen spokesperson Mark Gillies said. “When you move up to the midsize space, we’ve got the seven-seater Atlas and the five-seater Atlas Cross Sport.”
He then trekked over to Honda to check out the spacious 2023 Honda Pilot.
“Pilot has been a family favorite for over 20 years,” Honda spokesperson Jake Berg said. “The all-new Pilot still has those very versatile features that families are looking for, lots of space for people and things.”
The tour of new family rides ended with the mighty Hyundai Palisade, which includes a new high-tech safety feature: an ultrasonic sensor on the roof.
“So if someone accidentally leaves a child behind, it can send a signal, honk the horn, flash the lights, send you an email saying ‘return to your vehicle, you may have left a child or an infant in the back seat,'” Hyundai spokesperson Miles Johnson said.
For more information, check out our guide to the 2023 Chicago Auto Show at abc7chicago.com/autoshow.
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