• by Tanya Gazdik , Staff Writer, April 3, 2023

The week before Easter signals something the automotive industry can count on every year: The return of the New York International Auto Show.

Timed to open to the public on Good Friday, media days are Wednesday and Thursday and include MediaPost’s Marketing Automotive conference. 

This year’s conference includes Q&As with several high-ranking automotive executives, including Toyota’s Lisa Materazzo, Hyundai’s Kate Fabian and Nissan’’s Yetunde Faparusi.

When the public days open on Friday, attendees will be able to engage with automaker’s beyond the static vehicles on display. 

At the Lexus stand, attendees (or guests, as the automaker likes to call them) can create art featuring the all-new Lexus RX 350 and RZ 450e luxury utility vehicles courtesy of AI model trained by software, data and cloud services company Toyota Connected North America.

Guests are able to type in a prompt for the Lexus RX or RZ, placing either vehicle in a setting limited only by their imagination, and manifest that vision into existence.

Lexus is focused on creating innovative ways to connect with guests, says Vinay Shahani, vice president of Lexus marketing.

“As we’ve shown with the recent launches of the all-new Lexus RX and RZ, intuitive technology is a key pillar of the brand, and this experience featuring these two vehicles provides guests the opportunity to explore what it would look like to have the RX and RZ as a part of their everyday lives and their dreams,” Shahani says in a release. 

Many consumers attending the show will be looking to purchase their first electric vehicle. This year's show features multiple electric vehicles. The EV Hall floor is dedicated to EVs, charging technologies and consumer awareness programs. 

One of the highlights of the EV exhibition is an 83,000-square-foot Electric Vehicle Test Track located on Level 1 of the auto show. Vehicles available for test drives include Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Chevrolet Bolt EV, Volkswagen ID.4, Nissan Ariya, Kia EV6, BMW iXM50 and BMW i4M50.

Autel Energy is part of the EV Exhibition lineup, featuring a display with its EV chargers. The EV charging company, whose North American operations are based in Port Washington, New York, on Long Island, is the exclusive sponsor of NYIAS's EV Consumer Education Seminar Series.

"Consumers looking to purchase an EV will need to educate themselves about the best way to charge their vehicle," says Autel Energy Chief Operating Officer John Thomas.

One of the hottest EVs on display is likely to be the Kia EV9. The three-row SUV is making its North American debut a the auto show. The vehicle will offer 336 miles of range and Level 3 autonomy, meaning it could enable the vehicle to handle all aspects of the driving when engaged but still need the driver attentive enough to promptly take control if necessary. 

Finally, Camp Jeep  is back and is celebrating its 19th Anniversary at the New York Auto Show. Since 2004, more than half a million people have experienced the interactive off-road experience in New York City. Attendees can enjoy a ride on the Camp Jeep track and receive a free Jeep tote bag.

The test track includes a 28-foot tall mountain with a 40-degree climb and descent. 

Test drives will be available in the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Jeep Wrangler 4xe, Jeep Wrangler 392, Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit.