It’s been a busy fall at the Chicago Automobile Trade Association. This season is the perfect time to take a moment to pause and reflect on the effective work our team has produced over the last quarter to support our dealer and allied members, to drive awareness and interest in the latest EVs, hybrids and plug-in hybrids with Chicago Drives Electric, and to raise a great deal of funds for the USO while promoting the goodwill of local new-car dealers. We’re now shifting gears to ramp up planning for the 2025 Chicago Auto Show and First Look for Charity black-tie gala this February.
Back in October, we wrapped the third annual Chicago Drives Electric EV test drive and educational event, once again held at the CATA headquarters. We first introduced this event in the fall of 2022 in an effort to raise awareness of the many benefits of all-electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles and to help consumers understand how EVs can fit individual needs and lifestyles. This year’s event hosted more brands than ever before, with more than 40 different models to experience from brands including Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Toyota and Volvo. We also had Nissan and Lexus participate in our Media Day, held just prior to the public test drive event, to generate awareness and interest. The event attracted 1,630 total registered drivers and netted more than 6,102 in-vehicle experiences — an increase in attendance and participation from previous years. We will incorporate the Chicago Drives Electric theme and ride-along experience inside of the 2025 Chicago Auto Show, as we have in the past two years.
This past summer, CATA once again partnered with the USO to host the 11th annual Barbecue for the Troops fundraisers at dealerships throughout the area. A total of 60 local new-car dealerships rallied their communities to raise $81,267 for the USO last summer. That tally adds to the previous year’s fundraising efforts, netting more than $1.2 million raised for local troops. The barbecue-themed events held at CATA dealers featured everything from patriotic ceremonies, classic car shows, live music, games for kids of all ages and, of course, barbecues — all to support a wonderful mission.
We introduced the weekly Drive Chicago e-newsletter a couple of months ago, which highlights automotive news, new-vehicle reviews that are posted to DriveChicago.com, interview highlights from industry guests on Drive Chicago Radio (airing Saturday mornings on WLS-AM, 8-9 a.m.), and other special events. The Drive Chicago e-newsletter is a great tool for our dealers to share industry-related news as well as new-vehicle review content for their social media channels. As a CATA member, this will be emailed to you weekly. If you have not received this newsletter and would like to be added to the distribution list, please email Patrick Ziegenfuss at pziegenfuss@drivechicago.com.
As we head into the winter season, planning is ramping up for the Chicago Auto Show. We launched our 2025 Exhibitor Resource Center along with our show “kit” and pricing in September. Our gears shift to planning for and executing another successful Chicago Auto Show. Save the dates for First Look for Charity on the evening of Feb. 7 and the public show on Feb. 8-17, 2025, at McCormick Place.
Thank you for being an integral part of our association. We look forward to another successful quarter ahead!
Jennifer Morand
President, Chicago Automobile Trade Association
General Manager, Chicago Auto Show
