Previous Press Releases

The Montréal International Auto Show:
Greener than ever!

Montreal, January 15, 2009

For a 5th consecutive year, the Montréal International Auto Show (MIAS), taking place from January 16 to 25, 2009 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, is joining forces with Natural Resources Canada to bring you the On Route to a Greener Future segment.

Presented for the first time in 2005, the On Route to a Greener Future segment has steadily grown in popularity over the years, thanks in part to the unfettered support of a market increasingly in touch with the environment. Once again this year, this eco-friendly segment will consist of two features: the Green Zone and the 2009 ecoENERGY award winning vehicles.

Your turn at the wheel!

For the first time in its history, the Auto Show, in collaboration with Auto123.com, will be giving the public a chance to test drive a environmentally conscious, fuel-efficient vehicle. By taking a quick spin around the Palais des congrès, visitors will be able to judge for themselves the performance of these environmentally minded automobiles. Of course, places will be limited, even though organizers predict an average of 700 test drives per day! Who will be among the lucky drivers?

A Green Zone even greener

This year, the Green Zone will feature even more eco-friendly vehicles than ever! Eight (8) major automobile manufacturers (Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota and Volkswagen) will be on hand to display their ecological cars, each featuring the latest in environmentally-friendly technology. Visitors will have the opportunity to evaluate and compare the different vehicles, as well as chat with carmaker representatives, who will be present throughout the Show to answer questions about how these types of vehicles work.

Also, throughout the Green Zone, visitors will have the chance to discover a number of alternative modes of transportation, such as: Segway, an electric-powered Pontiac Firebird from VE Performance and some electric scooters from manufacturer Ecomoto. The Agence de l’efficacité énergétique will also be on hand to present a state-of-the-art driving simulator which will undoubtedly thrill guests of all ages. The public will also be able to obtain valuable information about alternative energies, green technology and tips about protecting the environment, as part of a concerted effort to reconcile the automobile with the environment. Some of the exhibitors who will be present to answer all your burning questions about the environment include: Natural Resources Canada, Hydro-Québec, LavéO and Sonic.

The ecoENERGY for vehicle Awards

The second feature of the Show’s On Route to a Greener Future segment will include the presentation of the 2009 ecoENERGY for vehicle Awards, rewarding the year’s most fuel-efficient vehicles by category, based on EnerGuide’s fuel consumption ratings. EnerGuide is an annual publication released by Natural Resources Canada, which examines the fuel consumption of vehicles on the market. This year’s winners include 13 vehicles selected across 10 different categories. Without further ado, here is a rundown of the 2009 most fuel-efficient vehicles:

• Two-Seater: smart fortwo / convertible
• Subcompact: (a tie); MINI Cooper / Cooper Clubman / Cooper convertible and Toyota Yaris
• Compact: Honda Civic Hybrid
• Mid-Size: Toyota Prius
• Full-Size: (a tie); Honda Accord Sedan and Hyundai Sonata
• Station Wagon: Volkswagen Jetta Wagon TDI Clean Diesel
• Pickup Truck: (a tie); Ford Ranger and Mazda B2300
• Special Purpose: Ford Escape Hybrid
• Minivan: Mazda5
• Large Van: (a tie); Chevrolet Express Cargo and GMC Savana Cargo

People interested in obtaining additional information about the 41st Edition of the Auto Show or those who wish to purchase tickets online can do so by visiting our Web site at www.montrealautoshow.com.

The Montréal International Auto Show, organized by the Montréal Automobile Dealers Corporation, is presented by Desjardins General Insurance, in collaboration with The Gazette.