By: Blair Qualey
What an incredible week it was for the automotive sector in British Columbia. The 2025 Vancouver International Auto Show was a record-breaking success — for the second consecutive year. Over the course of five days at the Vancouver Convention Centre, we welcomed nearly 139,000 attendees, with Saturday alone drawing more than 42,000 visitors, making it the highest single-day turnout in the event’s history. VIAS 2025 managed to surpass last year’s numbers and cemented the Auto Show as one of the most highly anticipated events on the calendar for the Lower Mainland.
The momentum started before the doors even opened. Our pre-show media tour was a resounding success, with more than 100 local and national journalists, photographers, and influencers taking part. Their coverage and enthusiasm helped spark interest across BC and Canada, while setting the stage for the week ahead and generating an energy that carried through to opening day and beyond. That early buzz played a big role in the show’s overall success, and we are grateful for the support and engagement from our media community, so a huge thanks to everyone that came out.
This year’s show was a true celebration of innovation, performance, and the future of mobility, featuring more than 30 world-class automotive brands and showcasing everything from the latest electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles to some of the most luxurious and high-performance models on the road today. There was a palpable sense of excitement in the air as attendees explored cutting-edge technology, stunning vehicle designs, and had a chance to directly engage with the manufacturers and exhibitors.
Throughout the event, there was no shortage of show stopping moments, and we were thrilled to host the Canadian and Western Canadian debuts of several highly anticipated vehicles, including SSC North America’s Tuatara Striker — currently the world’s fastest production car — alongside the 2025 Mustang GTD, Corvette ZR1, Lincoln Navigator, and Hyundai IONIQ 9. Two of the more popular attractions came courtesy of Vancouver’s own Jordan Melville, who brought a few choice Ferraris from his personal collection, including the ultra-rare SP3 Daytona, one of only 599 ever built, and SR Auto Group who celebrated 20 years of the Bugatti Veyron with an astonishing 4-supercar display.
The growing interest in electric and sustainable vehicles was also on full display. Our EV and PHEV Test Drive Experience, presented in partnership with CleanBC Go Electric and RBC, gave a record 4,424 attendees the opportunity to test drive 44 vehicles from 16 different manufacturers on a curated route through downtown Vancouver. It remains one of the most dynamic and engaging parts of the show, helping potential buyers get hands-on experience with the future of transportation.
Once again I want to send a huge thank you to the vendors, OEMs, staff, media, and of course, attendees who made the 2025 VIAS a smashing success. As President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC, I couldn’t be more proud of what our team and partners achieved with this year’s show. The Vancouver International Auto Show continues to grow in both scale and impact, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see so many people come together to share their excitement for what’s next in our industry.
The 2026 Vancouver International Auto Show will return to the Vancouver Convention Centre West from March 25 to 29.
For more highlights and photos from this year’s show, visit www.VancouverInternationalAutoShow.com.
Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected].
