In photos: The other side of the Toronto auto show
The cars are certainly the main attraction, but a lot more goes on at a car show than just cars siting under lights.
Lauren Dam, 22, is a volunteer at the show studying PR at Niagara College in St. Catharines, Ont. Her job is to wrangle all of the journalists to each press conference on media day. “I’m so excited to usher the media around. So far, it’s an amazing experience!” she says enthusiastically. But she’s not having much luck gathering the journalists together.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Nestled on the 600 floor of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre south building in Toronto is Volkswagen’s Children’s Playcare Centre, the perfect place to drop off kids. During media day, it’s the calm before the storm.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
It’s not just about keeping cars dust-free on the show floor, all details on a vehicle must be in tip-top shape including the wheels. Workers clean around the clock – with streak-free tire cleaners to keep this Honda CR-V looking clean and shiny for visitors.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
If you can’t afford a new car, maybe new rims are within your budget. In this case, check out the funky rims from RTXwheels near the AutoExotica display on the basement level of the MTCC North Building. They come in every shade of the rainbow from rose machined to matt blue machined to tiger orange machined. Personally, they’re a little too girly, even for me.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
There’s no escaping cops on the road or an auto show. OPP Sergeant, Kerry Schmidt shows his pride and joy – several vintage police cruisers on display including this one with a flashing siren that reads “Police Stop” in red and black. “Wait! I have to turn on the flashing light before you take the pix!” he says excitedly. You can even get behind the driver’s seat in of these classic OPP cruisers.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Boys will be boys. Even at an auto show gear heads flock to the grown-up play station area where they can get behind the wheel in the Forza racing seat and test drive their favorite sports car on a race track. There’s a waiting line to get a chance to put the pedal to the metal.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
This model at the Italian auto maker Alfa Romeo, standing in front of a yellow Alfa Romeo 4C spider has a long day ahead standing on her feet. Look at the heels on those shoes. I wouldn’t want to be her.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The Alfa Romeo model could really use this innovative stool – made of tires piled together – they’re littered around the Ford Mustang booth. It’s the perfect place to relax for a bit.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail