Auto shows remain a key part of the vehicle-buying process for many consumers, with 80% of attendees at the 2026 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) saying the event influenced their next vehicle purchase.
The details: Insights from the NYIAS visitor impact report—released last week—showed that attendees were highly engaged across key parts of the shopping process, including purchase intent, brand consideration, and vehicle test drives, per PR Newswire.
38% of attendees plan to purchase or lease a new vehicle within 12 months.
42% of those intending to buy within 12 months added one or more brands to their consideration list.
41% participated in an on-site test drive, with 34% saying the experience made them more likely to consider buying that brand.
92% of 2025 purchase intenders followed through on their stated intention to purchase a new vehicle.
What they’re saying: "The research confirms the important role the New York Auto Show plays in bringing consumers and automakers together," said Mark Schienberg, NYAIS president, per a press statement. "These are consumers who are actively exploring their next vehicle, and the research shows that their engagement at the Show influences their consideration and ultimately leads to a purchase.
Why it matters: The findings suggest auto shows can still put dealers and brands in front of highly engaged, purchase-ready consumers, creating opportunities to influence consideration, generate leads, and ultimately drive showroom traffic and sales.
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Between the lines: The NYIAS engagement numbers come as many automakers face a critical decision about their auto show strategies amid tighter competition and budget constraints after scaling back their participation following COVID-19: return to investing in shows or direct those dollars elsewhere?
Stellantis announced in 2023 that it was pulling back from major automotive trade shows in North America and did not participate in the Los Angeles Auto Show or SEMA in 2024—but has since returned to both.
The Detroit Auto Show—which has been working to reclaim its former global prominence—saw Subaru return in 2026 for the first time since 2022, while BMW, Mazda, and Rivian opted out of the event.
What they’re saying: “During COVID, Stellantis, like many manufacturers, scaled back their presence at auto shows. As the automotive market post covid has normalized, our return to auto shows has been much more strategic,” a Stellantis spokesperson told CDG News. “We believe in auto shows, they are a great way to connect with customers in a non-pressure situation, but the days of blanket support are over.”
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