All systems go for auto show
THE excitement reached fever pitch at the Wealth Auto Show media launch at Wyndham Kingston hotel on Monday as plans were announced about the staging of the first auto show in almost four years.
The two-day event is scheduled for Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 27 at the National Arena.
“We intend to bring to Jamaica, a First World auto show for the entire family,” said Leighton Davis, managing director of Creative Media and Events, the event’s organiser.
In speaking with Auto, Davis said he would be pulling out all the stops to make this show different from previous local stagings.
“It’s going to be a grand affair — the setting, lighting, highlights and execution will be very different. We are going for a modern and futuristic look. It’ll be like a red carpet event,” he said.
Davis said Jamaicans are no strangers to “good things” and he promised that the auto show would be one such.
“I want people to leave with an experience,” he added.
Some of the brands that will be on show are Hyundai, Isuzu, Mazda, Peugeot, Audi, Honda, Jaguar, Range Rover and Volkswagen.
Guest speaker at the launch function, Michael Stern, minister of state in ministry of industry and commerce, said for Jamaica to be on sound footing, the motor vehicle sector had to be a vibrant one.
“The Government has been doing everything necessary to revitalise the industry and we welcome the staging of this event,” he said. “And, we as the government are happy to partner with the organisers to make it work.”
He said a revised and comprehensive vehicle import policy was currently before Cabinet and could see the extension of the age of used-car brought into the island.
“From all indications, the future looks bright for both the new- and used-car sector,” he declared.
Sponsors of the two-day car show include Jamaica Observer, Scotiabank, the Wyndham Kingston, and Jamaica International Insurance Company (JIIC).