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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER

Car Talk: Hybrids to electrics, hear all about it at 2023 Lehigh Valley Auto Show

The 2023 Lehigh Valley Auto Show has an immediacy that cannot be denied.

The much-heralded boom in electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles is no longer down the road. It’s in your driveway or garage, or may soon be there.

The theme of the auto show, presented by the Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association, March 22-26, Goodman Campus, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, emblematic of auto industry trends, is “The Future is Right Here, Right Now!”

The 2023 auto show, marking its 24th anniversary, has more than 145,000-square-feet of new cars, trucks, crossovers, SUVs, trucks and motorcycles in four venues: Stabler Athletic and Convocation Center, Rauch Fieldhouse, Goodman Hall and Custom-Tuner Pavilion.

”We’re here to present to you the most exciting Lehigh Valley Auto Show ever,” said Dan Moyer, executive director of the Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association. “This auto show is going to different,” Moyer said at a Feb. 21 press conference for the show.

There will be a new entrance location, at the top of the parking lot, adjacent to Stabler. Signs guide attendees to each building.

“We will have more manufacturers’ vehicles here than there were at the Philadelphia Auto Show,” said Moyer.

In Stabler will be: Cadillac, Volvo, Acura, Lincoln, Porsche, Mercedes Audi, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover and Maserati.

In Rauch Fieldhouse: Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Buick, GMC, Chevrolet, Kia, Hyundai and Ford

In Goodman Hall: Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Volkswagen and Subaru

in the Custom Pavilion, new this year, will be custom and tuner vehicles, aka, vehicles with after-market modifications.

“We will have the all-new tuner show,” Moyer said.

“This is going to be a car show for all, whether you are a car enthusiast or just a browser,” said Moyer.

“If you’re looking to the auto show looking for a vehicle, chances are you will leave knowing more,” Moyer said.

“Wow! We got an auto show,” said Keith Muir, vice president, Star Buick GMC, and chairman of this year’s auto show, at the press conference.

Dancers from Ely Dance Studio, Allentown, kicked off the press conference in Stabler Arena with a dance routine to the song, “Right Here, Right Now.”

“How about that?” Muir said about the dancers’ performance, adding, ”Right here, right now and that’s not lost on us.”

The auto show was back in 2022 after not being held in 2020 and 2021 because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shutdown.

“There’s 30 different manufacturers. We have the hybrids and the custom pavilion,” said Muir.

Also speaking at the press conference were Ozzy Munoz of Downshift Nation and Jecci Clark of Autoholics, who are partnering with the auto show to feature custom vehicles in the Custom Pavilion.

Vehicles previewed at the press conference included: 2023 Mercedes EQS450X, from Mercedes Benz Lehigh Valley; 2023 Porsche TYCAN, Porsche Lehigh Valley; 2023 Infinity QX60, Bennett Infiniti; 2023 Maserati MC20, Bennett Maserati of Allentown; 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4XE, Kelly Auto Group; 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Kelly Auto Group; 2023 GMC Denali Pickup truck, Star Buick GMC; 2023 Chevy Camaro, Outten Chevrolet of Allentown, and custom-tuner vehicles.

Highlights of the 2023 auto show include a racing simulator, 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. March 24; Lehigh Valley Phantoms players and mascot, March 23; O’Grady Quinlan Irish Dancers, March 24, and Miss Pennsylvania Alysa Bainbridge, and Miss Outstanding Teen, March 25.

According to an auto show press release, “The Lehigh Valley Auto Show is built for the consumer, to inspect all angles of the vehicle’s interior and exterior in a pressure-free environment.

“The product specialists at each manufacturer space are simply there to answer any questions you may have about the vehicles.”

According to the press release, “GLVADA, Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association, connects consumers to the auto industry’s latest advancements via the annual Lehigh Valley Auto Show.

“It allows the consumers to see every make and model in one area. It also educates interested parties on the variety of employment opportunities available within the retail automotive industry.

“Pre-Covid, new car dealers were the third largest employer in the Lehigh Valley.

“Founded in 1998, the Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association is made up of 63 new car franchised dealers responsible for 6,370 jobs, with a combined annual payroll of more than $390 million (according to the 2018 Automotive Industry Economic Impact Study prepared by Auto Outlook, Inc.).

“The association produces several major events each year, including its signature event, the annual Lehigh Valley Auto Show.

“In 2022, GLVADA and our dealers combined, gave back more than $1.1 million to organizations in the Lehigh Valley.

“The association and its member dealers are very active in the community, supporting area nonprofit organizations as well as programs that recognize and educate local automotive technology students.

“The association’s goal is to help consumers get the most from their experiences with the group’s member dealerships in addition to doing its part to help the communities where its members live and work.”

Volunteers are needed to staff the 2012 show. Volunteers will have four-hour shifts and receive a free T-shirt. To volunteer, contact Dan Moyer, executive director of, Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association at dmoyer2@ptd.net or 610-973-5496.

2023 Lehigh Valley Auto Show, Goodman Campus, Lehigh University, 124 Goodman Drive, Bethlehem. 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. March 24, Community Day: first-responders, medical personnel and veterans receive free admission; 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. March 23; 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. March 24; 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. March 25; March 26 : 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. March 26. Children five and under admitted free. Tickets: glvada.org; at the door. Free parking. Information: www.glvada.org

PRESS PHOTO BY PAUL WILLISTEIN 2023 Chevy Camaro will be at 2023 Lehigh Valley Auto Show, Goodman Campus, Lehigh University, Bethlehem.
PRESS PHOTO BY PAUL WILLISTEIN From left: Dan Moyer, executive director, Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association, and Keith Muir, chairman, 2023 Lehigh Valley Auto Show, at Feb. 21 Stabler Arena press conference.
PRESS PHOTO BY PAUL WILLISTEIN Ozzy Munoz of Downshift Nation and Jecci Clark of Autoholics at Feb. 21 Stabler Arena press conference. Munoz and Clark partnered with 2023 Lehigh Valley Auto Show on Custom Pavilion at auto show at Goodman Campus, Lehigh University, Bethlehem.
PRESS PHOTO BY PAUL WILLISTEIN Dancers from Ely Dance Studio, Allentown, perform at Feb 21 Stabler Arena press conference to song, “Right Here, Right Now.” The theme of the 2023 Lehigh Valley Auto Show at Goodman Campus, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, is “The Future is Right Here, Right Now!”