IN the absence of an Automobile Dealers Association (ADA) car show for close to four years, Wealth Magazine is staging its expo planned for late November at the National Arena.

“We looked at the industry and realised that the ADA has not had a show for some three years,” Wealth Magazine CEO Garth Walker told Auto this week.

The Wealth brand, better known for its TV show, Wealth Magazine Business Access, was launched two years ago.

The brand’s foray into auto promotion, Walker said, was born out of a long-time interest in motor vehicles and what he described as a current void in the industry.

“My business partner and I have been car lovers from school days,” he said. “We always had a dream of staging a car show, the opportunity arose so we took advantage.”

Walker argued that the market was ready for an exposé of available car models and options, especially against the background of drastic changes in the local motor vehicle policy.

“We believe that the industry needs it (an auto show) given the fact that government has recently reduced import duties on motor vehicles,” said Walker.

According to Walker, the inaugural Wealth Auto Show will encompass most of the car brands normally associated with the ADA’s biennial show along with Scotiabank as title sponsor.

“We have ATL with Audi, Land Rover, Jaguar, VW and Honda on board.

Key Motors has Hyundai, Executive Motors has Mazda; Progressive Motors and Vehicles and Supplies have Isuzu and Peugeot, Stewart’s will be there with their brands including BMW, Mercedes and Mitsubishi,” said Walker, listing the dealers he says have signed on for the show.

“I am fully satisfied with the support, this is the first year of us planning it,” he emphasised. Industry players, including parts and accessory suppliers have also given commitment to participate, Walker said.

“This will be a special show with a VIP area, top-class décor and unique vehicles on show to add some flavour,” he added.

Logistics of putting on an auto show of such magnitude has, however, not fazed the eager promoter.

“My company is in the business of planning events,” he insisted, adding that while it’s his first time promoting an auto show, expertise in planning and execution will be brought to bear.

ADA, the umbrella organisation representing the interests of new car dealers has postponed its auto show for three years in a row.

March 2012 has been earmarked as the scheduled date for the next ADA show, largely to accommodate a build-up of inventory after the devastating tsunami that shut down car production in Japan.

Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi were all affected resulting in delivery delays. However, Walker said that local representatives participating in the Wealth show have all given assurance of adequate inventory.

“So far all the participants are comfortable that they will be able to deliver vehicles on show,” said Walker.

Toyota, up to yesterday, has not given a commitment to participate.

In the meantime, Walker said that his Wealth show was not a rival for the ADA.

“We are not in competition with the ADA, we are actually in full support of the organisation,” insisted Walker.

Efforts yesterday to contact ADA president Kent LaCroix were unsuccessful.