118-Year-Old American Auto Show Quietly Comes to an End After Surviving 2 World Wars

The Rochester Auto Show, which debuted in 1908, has quietly come to an end.

The Western New York event dates back more than a century, surviving two world wars and the COVID pandemic. But those who attended between February 27 and March 1 witnessed what turned out to be the show’s final run. On Friday, October 2, organizers announced on social media that the annual event was “being discontinued.”

“Your support and enthusiasm contributed to the show’s success in the past, and we are thankful for the many years of collaboration and shared experiences,” the post shared via Instagram read. “The Rochester-area franchised new car dealers, who produce the show, invite you to visit their respective dealerships to assist with your next vehicle purchase.”

The post stopped short of explaining the decision, but Brad McAreavy offered some insight in a statement to News 8, citing “economics, and the changing market.”

“Consumers have a lot of options to get their information about their next car purchase,” the statement said. “The Auto Show is a very expensive event to produce and host. Despite our best efforts to attract consumers back to the show, the attendance over the past four years was below pre-COVID levels. And there was no indication that was going to change.”

The show’s story began the same year Henry Ford unveiled the Model T, which helped make car ownership more accessible to everyday Americans. In 1909, a five-passenger “Touring” Model T cost $850, according to FordModelT.net. By 1914, the price had dropped to $490, roughly $16,000 in today’s dollars.