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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Sunday was the final day of the Jacksonville International Auto Show, an annual event where hopeful buyers had the chance to view, test-drive and ask their burning questions about this year’s newest vehicles.
The event was held amid supply chain challenges and production pauses, as many automakers say they are struggling to keep up with demand.
Lowell Briggs is the director of marketing and PR with Paragon Group, which organized the show.
“It’s a great bounce-back year,” Briggs said.
Briggs said the event’s numbers are back to pre-pandemic levels.
“The Jacksonville Automobile Dealers Association worked very hard with the manufacturers to make sure that we could put on a great show amid the chip prices and everything else that’s going on,” Briggs said.
Amid record-low inventory, hopeful buyers said they’re just trying to get the best bang for their buck. However, with supply chain challenges and production pauses, they shared that’s easier said than done.
Action News Jax spoke with potential buyer Joseph Hopkins, who shared that his wife and mother are in need of new cars.
“Just finding one is difficult, because my family wants new cars,” Hopkins said. “We’ve had bad luck with used cars in the past, so finding new cars that fit what we want is a challenge. You have to wait or you have to look and be patient.”
Hopkins said opportunities like the Jax Auto Show are helpful at guiding future buyers through the process.
“It’s nice to actually see the shapes, colors and options that are there and be able to talk to their salesmen,” Hopkins said.
More than 80% of U.S. car buyers paid above retail price in January, according to Edmunds, the online portal that tracks car rankings and prices.
Sean Oeding bought a car about seven months ago and brought his children to the Jax Auto Show.
“I’ve been doing these things since I was a kid in every city we’ve lived in, and now we’re doing it with them too,” Oeding said. “They just love to get inside, pretend to drive and ask if they can actually drive the cars.”
Other car enthusiasts shared their thoughts about navigating the car-buying process in 2022.
“There is a big chip shortage, which has made everything skyrocket as far as,” Jim Griffiths with Jacksonville Mustang Club said. “Even used vehicles are out the roof.”
He shared some advice for those new to the process.
“Stay within your budget and be safe, so you don’t get yourself into a problem later on,” Griffiths said.
Experts say if you already own a vehicle and hope to buy a new one, expect to see a high trade-in value.
Guests at the event got the opportunity to test-drive new cars from Chevy, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep and Ram.
The Jax Auto Show took place from Thursday, Feb. 17 through Sunday, Feb. 20. at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center.
“It’s an opportunity to see the 2022 and 2023 models, and you can see it in an environment where you’re not really hassled,” Briggs said. “You’ve got experts around all over the place here that can really give you the details on these vehicles. It’s a very stress-free way to shop for a car and in the biggest car showroom in Florida right now.
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