![Washington Auto Show logo](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Washington_Auto_Show_logo.png)
The Washington, D.C. Auto Show (WAS) is an annual local
auto show
An auto show, also known as a motor show or car show, is a public exhibition of current automobile models, debuts, concept cars, or out-of-production classics. It is attended by automotive industry representatives, dealers, auto journalists a ...
held in
Washington, D.C.
)
, image_skyline =
, image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...
at the
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center is a convention center located in Washington, D.C., owned and operated by the city's convention arm, Events DC. Designed in a joint venture by the Atlanta-based architecture firm Thompson, Ventulett, ...
usually in late January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America, trailing only the
North American International Auto Show in Detroit (NAIAS), the
LA Auto Show
The Los Angeles Auto Show is an annual auto show held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in early December. The LA Auto Show is an OICA sanctioned international exhibition. It is open to the public for ten days each year, filling of exhibit s ...
, the
New York International Auto Show
The New York International Auto Show is an annual auto show that is held in Manhattan in late March or early April. It is held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. It usually opens on or just before Easter weekend and closes on the first Su ...
(NYIAS) and the
Chicago Auto Show
The Chicago Auto Show is held annually in February at Chicago's McCormick Place
convention center. It is the largest auto show in North America.
History
Samuel Miles, formerly a promoter of bicycle shows, produced the first "official" Chic ...
in size. It is sometimes also referred to as the D.C. Auto Show. The event has evolved to emphasize and showcase the latest innovations in
sustainable automotive technologies. Since 2008 the winners of the
Green Car Vision Award
The Green Car Vision Award is an annual award granted by the ''Green Car Journal''. In contrast with its Green Car of the Year award, which only considers production vehicles that make the most significant environmental advancements, the Green ...
are announced during the show.
Overview
Designated one of the nation’s top five auto shows by the
International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers
The International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA; french: Organisation internationale des constructeurs automobiles), founded 1919 in Paris, is an international trade association whose members are 39 national automotive industry ...
, The Washington Auto Show includes latest model cars and displays of historic vehicles. Often referred to as the “Public Policy Show” on the auto show circuit, the 10-day public show is preceded by two Public Policy Preview Days of special events and announcements for officials in government, industry and the media.
The Washington Auto Show is also the largest public show in Washington, D.C. Over the course of its many years this beloved and historic D.C. tradition has attracted Washingtonians of all stripes – and political affiliations. On display are more than 700 new models from over 42 manufacturers.
History
![Toyota NS4 concept WAS 2012 0636](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/Toyota_NS4_concept_WAS_2012_0636.JPG)
In 1921, a group of 20 Washington-area car dealers and distributors planned the first show to sell the public on the virtue of the horseless carriage. From that humble beginning, The Washington Auto Show has been on the fast track for growth and popularity. Housed in a variety of area venues, the show was staged for 18 years in the National Guard D.C. Armory. The show has gone on hiatus twice – once for war and once due to poor economic conditions.
After a break in the 1970s, the Washington Convention Center and The Washington Auto Show opened together in early 1983. By this date, the auto show had grown to require every available foot of display space, covering nearly eight acres – almost four times the physical size of the Armory shows, with three times as many models.
In 1988, The Washington Auto Show began using the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day as its annual time frame, garnering a tremendous base of loyal fans and establishing its reputation as a family destination. The event was later moved to late January to coincide with Congress’ return from recess, enabling the show to capitalize on the business of Washington.
References
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Auto shows in the United States
Economy of Washington, D.C.
Festivals in Washington, D.C.
Events in Washington, D.C.
Culture of Washington, D.C.
Annual events in Washington, D.C.