Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The last week of January in Western New York always marks the return of the annual Buffalo Auto Show to the Buffalo Convention Center in Downtown Buffalo. This year's event begins Thursday at 1 p.m., and continues through Sunday afternoon.
While this time of year may be the most busy for chair of the Buffalo Auto Show, Paul Stasiak, he's always very eager to put together one of the most anticipated auto shows in the nation.
"We are probably the only show in the country that has a vehicle represented from every dealer we have. There's been cutbacks in shows, expense budgets. Like some shows don't have some higher end lines, but our dealers embrace the show, the public comes out," said Stasiak during an appearance on WBEN. "We're Buffalo. People like to be walking in comfort and have an opportunity, so they come out. They embrace the show, and the show turns out results for people."
While more-and-more vehicles and companies are making the shift to all-electric or hybrid vehicles, Stasiak says the majority of the cars that'll be on display at the Buffalo Auto Show still operate with gas combustible engines. However, he continues to be impressed with the performance of the newer tech vehicles.
"Let me say this: The performance on the electric vehicles are outstanding," Stasiak said. "A few years back, I was blatantly honest: How did it handle in a cold? How long was it to charge? That dynamic has changed immensely. These electric vehicles are very, very efficient, and they're very high performance. But the public still not ready."
So what's new at this year's auto show that Stasiak feels people can look forward to? Stasiak always tries to sprinkle in some eye candy for the patrons of the auto show every year.
"We've got a couple cars, one's, I think, [one of] only eight in the world that were out there. We've got some high end cars with Lamborghinis and Maseratis and Ferraris. We've got a race car this year," Stasiak noted. "We'll have activities for the kids - Ninja Turtles, princesses, enchanted chanted princesses. So we try to sprinkle it in. That's a great word, I like that word 'sprinkle' better than snow right now. So we'll have something, I hope, for everybody that's just not even a car shopper."
The Buffalo Auto Show is always a great opportunity for local dealerships to make an impression with the community.
"Just something to do on this cold weekend here, bone chilling in Buffalo. Everybody's excited to be back for our annual Auto Show," said Sarah Rotella from Mercedes-Benz of Buffalo. "We have all the 2026 models here for everyone to kind of look at, obviously no test drives. But it's lit up, and you can get in and out and check them out, and just see what suits you."
For those coming in for the Auto Show, Rotella feels it's sometimes just as good as showing off vehicles in the showroom for customers.
"Sometimes people can't make it in. They have kids, they're busy with work. This just gives them a chance to kind of pop in, they don't have to set up an appointment. It's nothing formal, it's a lot more casual," Rotella said with WBEN. "We have sales people here, and a lot of people from the dealership that are able to answer any type of questions that the customer needs."
Also hard at work at the Buffalo Auto Show this weekend is the auto detailers on-hand to ensure all the vehicles on display are spit-shine clean and looking their best.
"It's a great opportunity," said Jordan Pacillo, owner of J.P.'s Auto Detailing. "When they gave me the call and asked if I was interested, I was pretty excited about it. They had us come down, we're just getting all the cars prep for the show. It's going really good. It's exciting."
Pacillo says his team was active early on Wednesday, cleaning vehicles that had just come in from outside and making them showroom ready. His company will also remain at the show to continue their efforts and also do some self promotion.
"It's a great opportunity. We're gonna get our business name out there more and just get bigger," Pacillo said.
Also taking part at the Buffalo Auto Show this year for the first time is the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS). Not only are they providing one of their work vans to show off at the event, but they are also recruiting to hire more guards.
"If you can make it down, we're going to share with you about our regional recruitment," said Officer Roland, Western Region recruiter at DOCCS. "If you live in the Western New York area right after the academy, you're going to come right back to Western New York. That's one of our new initiatives, and we really want to get that out there so people know and they can take a part of it. We also have a $3,000 sign on bonus, and along with our buddy system. Say you're coming with your friend to check out some vehicles together. You can also check out a new career opportunity and go to the hiring process and the academy together."
DOCCS is looking to recruit anyone 18 or older for a new career as a corrections officer in New York State.
No age restriction, just as long as you're 18, high school diploma or a GED, a U.S. citizen and no adult felony convictions," Officer Roland said with WBEN. "And we don't even have a state residency anymore. If you're coming from the [Pennsylvania] border to come check out some cars out in New York, you can work here as well."
