I haven't written an article in more than a year, so when I was asked to cover the 2005 Canadian International Auto Show, it took 6 phone calls, 4 emails, 3 instant messages and 1 week before I could be convinced to finish this fine work verbal indulgence. Here we go.

Held downtown in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and the newly renamed Rogers Centre (Skydome) the annual CIAS is the thirds largest Auto Show behind Detroit and Las Angeles.

This is the hype on www.autoshow.ca .

"With over 150 exhibitors and over 850,000 square feet of exhibit space in one of the most accessible locations in Toronto , " Canada 's Premier Automotive Exposition" is the 2005 Canadian International Auto Show.

It is expected that over three hundred thousand people will flock to Toronto 's downtown core to participate in the Canadian International Auto Show.. Where else can one view "the total automotive experience" including all the latest in new cars, prototypes, concepts, classics, sport compacts, trucks, 4x4's and automotive clubs and associations."

Now that I have managed to cheat my per word quota. Let me continue by mentioning that this year's show theme is " BIG ON DESIGN ." The show floor is filled with new concepts but looking at the new releases you can't avoid noticing "design crossovers."

Honda released a new SUV called the Avalanche - Oh! I mean Ridgeline.

Volkswagen's newly designed CivicCorolla - Oh! - I mean Jetta.

Saturn's new Sky - Hmmm isn't that the Pontiac Solstice?

Mitsubishi's newly design Ion - or is that the Eclipse?

I'm going to stop right now before I alienate any more automotive manufacturers and am banned from the shows. But I say this to make a point! In a very competitive market, the manufacturers are listening to our consumer needs and are giving us new and innovative products year after year. From concepts to reality new vehicles are being built better, faster and more options to suite the individuality of each buyer.