Dayton Daily News

It's a buyer's market out there when it comes to cars and trucks, but that isn't going to last forever, said officials during a March 25 preview of the 2009 Dayton Auto Show, being held now through 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 29.

"Interest rates are down and incentives are high," said Joe Hidy, president of the Dayton Area Auto Dealers Association. "But it's not always going to be that way."

And there's no easier way to see what is in dealerships now and what is coming in the future than at the show, said Tim Doran, president of the Ohio Auto Dealers Association.

"There's a great opportunity to see a lot of cars in one location, and (show attendees) get to see them, touch them, sit in them. We have cars from entry-level to $450,000," Doran said.

"You'd have to go to 50 dealerships to see what we have to offer here," Hidy said.

Increased values of traded-in vehicles should help new-car buying transactions, too, Doran said. So should more available credit, Hidy said.

"We've seen a lot of lenders come back, too — we welcome them back," he said.

But to take ownership of a new vehicle, you'll have to go to a Dayton-area dealership for the transaction.

There's nothing for sale at the show, which takes off pressure and leaves the pure pleasure of enjoying the hot metal and cool exhibits on display at the Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St., Dayton.

Proceeds from the show's charity preview event, hosted by Cox Ohio Publishing, parent company of the Dayton Daily News and the Springfield News-Sun, will be divided between the Dayton Food Bank and the Children's Medical Center.

The automotive showcase is a concentration of 2009 models available now, specialty vehicles and exhibits, auto-show concepts, early 2010 production models and aftermarket suppliers. Harley-Davidson motorcycles have joined the show again this year, too.

Show-goers are welcome to open doors on most of the vehicles and slip behind the wheel of what's on the floor. Product specialists are available to answer questions.

While the show floor is full, you won't wear yourself out walking thousands of steps to reach a certain brand or vehicle. Everything is arranged for you to look over at your leisure.

Show highlights include:

• Concepts

The Dodge Demon, a compact, nimble "roadster with an attitude;" and the Chrysler 300C Hollywood, a specialty grand touring town car, developed by the Mopar Underground design team to appeal to both a "hip hop" crew as well as a classic car enthusiast.

• Locally produced vehicles

Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS and Saab 9-7X, assembled at GM's Moraine Assembly Plant.

• Hybrids

Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Chevrolet

Silverado Hybrid, Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, preproduction Ford Fusion hybrid, Honda Insight, Lexus GS hybrid, and Toyota Highlander and Prius

as well as a host of flexible-fuel vehicles.

• 2009 North American Car of the Year, North American International Auto Show in Detroit: Hyundai Genesis

• Possible financial gain

$1,200 in gas cards given away on both March 28 and 29, an LG LCD TV giveaway (be the closest in "Guess the Cubed Car" contest).

• Charity raffle

$20 chances on a Daytona "Cobra" Coupe to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The car was assembled and completed by Bob and Mark Hephner of Tipp City. www.LondonCobraShow.com

• Special attractions

Free NASCAR simulator ride; free inflatable basketball toss; free climbing wall; Sinclair Community College Automotive Technology Program display; classic cars from area car clubs including National Corvette Restorers Society, Ohio Viper Club of America and HiTek Hot Rods

• New-to-the-market vehicles

Toyota Venza, Volkswagen CC, Mercedes-Benz GLK350, Pontiac Solstice Coupe, Pontiac G8, Suzuki Equator

• Small cars

Toyota Yaris, Toyota Corolla,

Honda Fit, Chevrolet Aveo sedan, Scion xD, xB and tC; Hyundai Elantra sedan, Saturn Astra, Ford Focus coupe, Honda Civic, Pontiac G3, Chevrolet Cobalt XFE coupe and XFE sedan; Chevrolet Cobalt SS

turbo sedan

• Sports cars and sporty coupes

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren roadster, 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, 2010 Ford Mustang GT preproduction in Grabber Blue, Dodge Challenger, Porsche 911 Carrera S, Jaguar XK

• Diesels

Volkswagen Jetta TDI, BMW 335d

• Harley-Davidson motorcycles

FXCWC Softail Rocker C, Dyna Fat Bob, Road Glide, V-Rod Muscle, Sportster 1200 Nightster.

The 2009 Dayton Auto Show is presented by the Dayton Area Auto Dealers Association and sponsored by the Dayton Daily News and Springfield News-Sun.

Amy Rollins is Wheels editor at the Dayton Daily News and may be reached at (937) 225-6901 or arollins@coxohio.com. Read Wheels online at DaytonDailyNews.com/Wheels.