Twin Cities 2014: The Return of the Home Auto Show Advantage

Photo by Randy Stern

The Home Auto Show Advantage has returned.

Saturday denotes the opening of the 41st Twin Cities Auto Show. The Minneapolis Convention Center will be the focal point for shoppers and enthusiasts alike with every brand sold in the Twin Cities represented there.

The format will continue with the main floor for most brands, along with the Green Room for sustainable vehicles and the Luxury Lane exuding the cream of the crop. We should expect most of the debuts from prior shows to be at any of the exhibit rooms at the Convention Center – including the new 2015 Ford F-150.

This year will see Camp Jeep return to the main floor. If you have not experience it, you will get both a thrill ride and an education on not just Jeep, but of off-roading as well. Ride & Drives will feature Scion and Mazda this year. If you have not had a chance to drive the FR-S or the new Mazda3, you can do so on the streets outside the Convention Center.

Throughout the week, special guests will be at the show. The NHL's Minnesota Wild – three players named for two Meet & Greets – and the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves – confirmed as Ricky Rubio and Corey Brewer – will bring some of their players to the show. Clear Channel's Twin Cities radio stations will also broadcast live in the iHeart Radio Lounge. Radio Disney will also be there to sponsor one of the stars from The Disney Channel, Laura Marano of "Austin and Ally."

New this year at the show will be food trucks – including some of the Twin Cities favorites. Located at the family fun area, you have a choice (as announced by the auto show) of the Tot Boss, Seven restaurant and Brew Pub Pizza. (BTW, Tot Boss is a V&R Favorite).

Plus, V&R's friends will be there at the show. We recommend saying "hi" to the local chapter of the Sports Car Club of America and Brainerd International Raceway to see about the local motorsports scene. In the vendor room should be our friends at the 10,000 Lakes Concours d'Elegance – which V&R will be there again on June 1!

On top of all of this, V&R is reviewing the Official Car of the 2014 Twin Cities Auto Show this week – the 2014 Fiat 500L. Talk about timing…

These are simply the basics of the Twin Cities Auto Show. Remember, this is a consumer-driven show geared towards the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota/Western Wisconsin market.

So, what will V&R bring to this show?

Team coverage. Not only will Randy Stern be there on Saturday, March 8 – Contributing Writer Robert Edwards will be there, too! We hope you will welcome our perspectives in the weeks to come.

If you go, do not forget to get your tickets in advance. They are available at twincitiesautoshow.com for $8.00 for adults 16 and over, $5.00 for Wednesday, March 12 and for teens aged 11-15. Otherwise, they are $10.00 at the door. Hours very per day, but expect to be there for quite some time.

See y'all at the show!