Auto show season recap part 2- CIAS (Toronto)

Continuing with my 2024 auto show tour, the focus shifts to the Canadian International AutoShow (CIAS), which wrapped up this past Sunday in Toronto. The CIAS is Canada’s largest auto show, and it’s one with which I have had the longest relationship, dating back to the 1990s when I attended as a car enthusiast. I’ve been attending the show as an accredited automotive journalist since 2011.

This is the second consecutive year CIAS is back to its traditional February date. As was the case with other shows, Covid caused the show to go on hiatus in 2021 and 2022.

Just like last year, I was at the 2024 show twice, once on the media day, and again last Friday. The attractions were busy and, for the second year in a row, the show attracted strong public interest. In fact, 2024 was a record-setting year for attendance. For more on that click here.

And with that, here are my hits and misses from Toronto.

Hit – the manufacturers (including those who have returned)

As was the case when I visited the Chicago Auto Show earlier this month, not all manufacturers were present in Toronto. Most were there, however, and this year marked the return of several big players, including Ford, Genesis, Infiniti, Lincoln, Polestar, Porsche, and Volvo. This is great to see, and these manufacturers brought new concepts and production vehicles to their displays, including two from Infiniti that hadn’t been shown outside of Japan. This is great for CIAS attendees who get to see new products and exciting concepts they may not see anywhere else. Heck, it was good for us jaded auto journos to see a few things most of us hadn’t seen in person before, such as the Infiniti concepts, the next Polestar production cars, and the face-lifted 2025 Ford Explorer.

Miss – the manufacturers who have yet to return (and may not)

What I said about manufacturer absences in Chicago applies here. Many premium brands continue to skip auto shows, including Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and a few others. Basically, they feel they can skip auto shows because they have other ways to reach consumers. On the other hand, the mainstream manufacturers who were missing really stood out. Despite strong attendance numbers at last year’s CIAS, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Volkswagen were all no-shows again this year. Stellantis is also technically in that category, as they have pulled out of all auto shows for 2024, but had a display (pictured below) in Toronto that was paid for by their dealers. It looked the same as it did last year due to the maintenance of corporate standards. It’s a shame the others weren’t there, but one can always hope, as I do, that they’ll return in 2025.

Hit – Indoor EV test track

I counted three indoor test tracks in Chicago, including a multi-manufacturer EV-only track. CIAS deployed an indoor EV track for the first time last year and it returned this year. Like Chicago, Toronto often has miserable winter weather in February, so the benefits of allowing show attendees to test drive EVs indoors is obvious. This year, the weather wasn’t quite as snowy or as cold as it was in years past, but many attendees still took advantage of the opportunity to familiarize themselves with EVs from several manufacturers including Cadillac, Ford, GMC, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, and Vinfast. This attraction is quite popular with attendees, and when I was there last Friday, there were several cars out on track.

Miss – Inaccessible production cars

I noticed several cars that were either locked or on elevated platforms that were off-limits to show attendees, which I thought was a bit disappointing. To be clear, I’m talking about the main show floor, not special attractions such as Auto Exotica, or the Grand Touring display of exotics, or rare and vintage owner cars, such as those in the Ferrari room. These cars are always look but don’t touch. No, I’m talking about cars in manufacturer stands. I think keeping concepts locked makes sense as there is usually only one in existence, but that’s not the case with production models. For instance, the Tesla Cybertruck and Toyota Land Cruiser (pictured below), two new production models, were both locked. Both, especially the Tesla, are of great interest to show attendees, and it’s unfortunate that they were unable to get a closer look. The Cybertruck was supervised by Tesla staff in Chicago, but it was open, and I’m wondering why a similar arrangement wasn’t in place for Toronto. Hopefully, access will improve in the future.

Hit – special attractions (Auto Exotica, Ferrari, Grand Touring, and Porsche)

I’ve often held that CIAS consistently has the best displays of exotic and rare cars, both new and old, at an auto show, and I’m including shows in Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, and New York in that comparison. To be sure, you will also find impressive collections at manufacturer museums, and private exhibits, but CIAS is a leader when it comes to public auto shows. Don’t get me wrong, those other shows and exhibits are worth visiting too, but if I’m looking for exotics at a car show, CIAS is at the top of my list. This year alone, there was a wide selection of rare collector cars in Auto Exotica, plus a dedicated vintage Ferrari display. Porsche also had its own exhibit, as did Grand Touring Automobiles, a Toronto-based fine car dealer. Two of my personal favourites: the Rimac Nevera (pictured above) and a super rare 1971 Ferrari Daytona 365 GTB/4 (pictured below) that was found sitting in a Toronto condo parking garage under a tarp!

Miss – not as many race cars

This is more of a wish list item for me than a criticism, as there were several race cars scattered across the show floors, but unlike past years, there wasn’t a dedicated motorsports exhibit. Full disclosure, I used to work in PR at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (nee Mosport), so I am partial to race cars of call types and descriptions. Bottom line, I love seeing them, and CIAS does a good job of marshaling them at their show year after year. Like I said, there were race cars there, but not in a dedicated motorsports display. But knowing CIAS General Manager Jason Campbell as I do, I have no doubt there will be a good selection of race cars again in 2025!

Photos by Lee Bailie