HOUSTON, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The 2013 Houston Auto Show opened here Wednesday, celebrating the show's 30th anniversary with the largest display of vehicles in its history.
Occupying over 700,000 square feet (about 65,030 square meters) of display space, the five-day show features more than 500 latest vehicles from over 35 manufacturers in a wide variety of styles and price ranges.
"We have luxury models as well as economic models. We have hybrid vehicle and high-technology vehicle, and actually, we have everything people want to see at the show," said RoShelle Salinas, a public relations officer for the show.
A number of special features highlight this year's show, including indoor and an out-door test drives for visitors to rest drive more than 60 new vehicle models; an IndyCar Series driver; and a new Ford Hybrid models cars that get a reported 108 miles per gallon.
A special exhibit, Camp Jeep, also debuts at this year's auto show. The exhibit allows visitors the chance to personally experience jeep's driving capabilities as they ride straight up and down a meters-high mountain, tackle "fallen logs" and more.
"This year we also have more luxury vehicles in addition to classics from the 1950s and 1960s," said Salinas.
The high-end luxury vehicle boutique is returning for its second year at the show, featuring vehicles such as the Lotus, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini and Proche.
Salinas said that as the national economy is recovering, the demand for new cars is growing. "2012 is great for auto sales, especially in Texas," she said. "We really see auto sales going up and continuing this increase in 2013."
The increased demand for new cars comes at a time when the average age for cars on the road is about 11 years old in the United States.
"Something we notice from last year's auto market is that people who have been waiting to purchase cars, and people whose cars are turning 10 years old," said Salinas.
When a car turns 10 years old, people look to buy a new car, and that's happening within last year and this year, she said.
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