Miami’s International Auto Show took over the Miami Beach Convention Center from Oct. 15-23. The auto show showcased over 500 different models, including cars, SUVs, trucks and electric vehicles by brands including Alfa Romeo, Cadillac, Dodge, Honda, Jeep, Subaru and Volkswagen. 

This family-friendly event featured numerous activities to keep guests engaged and in the mood to shop for new vehicles. This year, the auto show welcomed back fan-favorite exhibits such as Camp Jeep, giving guests the opportunity to experience the off-road capabilities of Jeep’s vehicles without the need to leave the convention center. Among the 30 classic cars on display, some of the most famous were the muscle cars from the 1960s and a 1967 Ghost Mustang Fastback GT. 

Additionally, brand representatives and agents stood by their respective booths to answer any questions or concerns customers and visitors had regarding their cars or company to make the shopping experience easier. Miami Palmetto Senior High School sophomore Eddie Rodriguez attended the event. 

“I did feel very comfortable asking questions, they mentioned a lot about the hybrid vehicles and told me lots of info about the cars I was interested in,” Rodriguez said. 

The Miami International Auto Show official car was an electric Ford F-150 Lightning provided by South Florida Ford Dealers Association.

MPSH junior and car enthusiast Logan Shapiro expressed a different opinion on electric vehicles. 

“I think electric cars have no personality. They might say they are faster but it’s like comparing cooking a hamburger in a microwave versus barbecuing a hamburger, the microwave might be faster but the barbecue one is better,” Shapiro said.

Some “ride and drives” were included for guests to test drive cars to increase interest. Additionally, two indoor electric vehicle test tracks offered consumers the opportunity to ride in many of the auto industry’s most known vehicles sponsored by Florida Power Line.

“I was driven in one of them, in one of the Hyundai new hybrid vehicles on the track inside, it was a fun time,” Rodriguez said.

 At the end of the event, the show helped raise $400,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities and over $7 million overall for partnering charities.