Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - For the first time in two years, the Buffalo Auto Show returns to the Buffalo Convention Center.
After not holding the event in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the folks associated with the Buffalo Auto Show will hold the event once again, starting on Thursday and running through Sunday in Downtown Buffalo.
"We're very amped up, because we were the last show before COVID shutdowns," said Buffalo Auto Show promoter Paul Stasiak. "In 2020, we were the last major event in the convention center, so it's really exciting to get amped up and power up to be the first big show back."
With this year's event at the Buffalo Convention Center, it will be a fully vaccinated event. It will be similar to a Buffalo Bills or Buffalo Sabres game where when you show proof of vaccination, you will be allowed entry without having to wear a mask.
"We follow the same protocols the county asked [the Bills and Sabres] to do, we will follow the same protocol so people can come in here safely without masks once their vaccines checked, and walk the center freely and enjoy the day," Stasiak said.
In years past, the Buffalo Auto Show has featured a full line of new vehicles from all the major manufacturers and then some. However, with the current problems relating to inventory around the globe, will there be a full lineup of vehicles at this year's event? According to Stasiak, they got lucky this year.
"We're going to have most of our major manufacturers represented one way or the other," he said. "Some vehicle lines that would normally bring eight cars to display will probably bring four or five, so they will not have the full lineup of every model, but every manufacturer is attempting to get here in some way, shape or form to have somebody talk or represent their products. So we're pretty excited that their dealers and manufacturers are selecting Buffalo still as a destination of an auto show."
So much of a problem is the inventory issues that manufacturers and dealers are currently dealing with?
"We are having a serious problem with inventory, and it's not the fault of the manufacturers or the dealers, so please don't blame them. This is a supply chain issue," said The Car Coach, Lauren Fix. "We're well past the COVID issues, and what's now the problem is we've got a lot of boats with a lot of product, and for us to build them here in the U.S. after we farmed it all off China, it's going to take about three years from the initial starting of chip manufacturing. That may not end until 2023. We don't know that yet."
With this being an international issue, if anyone needs anything assembled for a vehicle order, it would need to be produced and assembled in China. How long would it take for someone to get a vehicle that was ordered to get back to the dealership to drive off the lot?
"I just purchased a Ford truck, and I waited seven months for it," Fix said. "If you're going to order a vehicle, that's the best way to get what you want. This is sort of the new way of doing things. I know for the longest time, we all had a different situation, because you go to the lot and whatever was there you wanted to buy. Well, there will be vehicles in the lot. In many cases, not in all, there's something called ADM - an additional dealer markup or a marketing fee, and so you will be paying more than the sticker price. No one's getting below sticker price, at this point. So your best option is if you've got a lease, extend it. If you can wait, the best thing to do is do that and order the vehicle you want, and then you'll get exactly what you want."
According to Fix, the soonest anything has come in for customers is five months, but that is dependent on whether or not those chips for a vehicle are available. In addition to a chip shortage, the industry is dealing with a rubber shortage, which is impacting whether or not a vehicle will have the right tire to fit its proper size.
So with the way the supply chain issues have impacted the inventory problems in the automotive industry, what is the best advice for people looking to eventually purchase a new vehicle?
"One of the smartest things people can do is keep your vehicle, get it maintained; the longer you wait for a new car, the better it's going to be, in this case," Fix said. "Typically that's not the case. As a vehicle needs repair, people consider getting rid of it. I highly suggest doing your basic maintenance, staying on top of it, because if you've got a little problem, do it now. You got to check engine light, get in front of it. That vehicle you might be keeping a little longer than you think, but the result is you'll be saving money. I think you will be much happier, and so will your budget."
As for the Buffalo Auto Show, it is expected that many new models will be on display for people heading out to the Buffalo Convention Center this weekend. What are folks expected to see when they take in the auto show?
"Get ready to see some new, fresh hot cars, particularly our electric vehicle lineup. We have a whole room dedicated," Stasiak said. "We're gonna have over 15 of the newest E-vehicles, and people on staff from a BMW i4 to the iX. Mercedes [EQS] 450, we're going to have a Kia EV6, the [Ford Mustang] Mach-E, the [Ford 150] Lightning. We're going to electrify Buffalo like no one's ever seen before. People are concerned that electric will not have the power, the performance and the distance. We're going to prove America and Buffalo wrong."
On top of the new models expected to be on-hand, don't forget some of the local area's most famous vintage cars that will be in the building as well.
"We got some specialty cars from Mr. Salvatore's vintage Bentley, to Dr. Shatkin's Rolls-Royce, we're going to have our '54 pink DeSoto limited edition and a Cutlass Oldsmobile. So if you're a car enthusiast, you're going to see some cars from local celebrities and some cars that you just don't see in Buffalo," Stasiak said. "We'll have a pet adoption area. You can look at a new car and leave with a new pet. [Subaru is] partnering with local agencies here, so we're gonna have a lot of fun things for everybody that are just not just kicking tires and sitting in seats."
More details about this weekend's event can be found at BuffaloAutoShow.com.