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For automobile dealers in the region, it's been a bumpy road to the start of the 2007 Pittsburgh International Auto Show.

Originally scheduled for February 10-18, the event was canceled because of the collapse of a section of concrete floor from a second-story loading dock of the David Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown.

More than two months later, structural repairs have been made, and vehicles are ready to roll into the venue for the rescheduled auto show today through Monday.

Members of the Greater Pittsburgh Automobile Dealers Association, the event's sponsor representing 200 dealerships in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, say that, despite the show's shortened run from nine days to five days, it still expect as many as 100,000 people to attend.

"It's not uncommon nationwide to have a five-day show," says Denise Brennan, executive vice president and chief executive officer of the association, based in O'Hara. "We will have the same floor plan as the February show with the same number of manufacturers."

Jim Smail, auto-show chairman and co-owner of Smail Auto Group in Greensburg, says the new dates will allow several concept cars and 2008 pre-production models introduced at the New York Auto Show April 6-15 to make appearances in Pittsburgh.

"We'll see cars like the Camaro concept car and Pontiac G8 that we would not have been able to get in February," he says.

For consumers, the auto show is the place to look under the hood, check out the latest gadgets and get behind the wheel of more than 500 cars, trucks, minivans and sport-utility vehicles on display by more than 35 domestic and import manufacturers.

For area dealers, Brennan says the auto show is a barometer of a future bottom line and they have been tracking similar events since the beginning of this year in Detroit, Los Angeles and other cities.

"We use the auto show as a springboard for the spring selling season," Brennan says. "So far, show attendance figures are up around the country. That's a good sign to us that the market is starting to turn around."

Smail says that other major auto shows so far this year are reporting as many as 18 percent more visitors than a year ago.

Several trends are fueling renewed excitement for consumers, Brennan says, led by carmakers' response to high gasoline prices with more efficient conventional models such as the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit and Nissan Versa and hybrids such as the new Toyota Camry, Saturn Vue Green Line, Lexus GS and Chevrolet Tahoe.

"Hybrids are really in high focus this year with all the energy concerns," she says. "They are the wave of the future."

In addition, more diesel-fueled engines in cars and trucks will enter the U.S. market later this year, led by the new diesel Mercedes-Benz E320 Blue Tec, scheduled for launch this fall, that promises to provide mileage exceeding 30 miles per gallon.

"Diesel, specifically Ultra Low-Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), is just now becoming available in the United States and could be a great option when looking for an alternative-fuel source that will get better mileage and still provide power," Smail says.

Visitors will see a number of new crossover vehicles, which offer the versatility of a truck or SUV with the comfort and performance of a car. New models include Acura RDX, Saturn Outlook, Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, Mazda CX-7 and Hyundai Sante Fe.

Mick Wolcott, owner of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealerships in Ross and Robinson, says technology advances with satellite radio, navigational systems and plug-in auxiliary jacks for portable digital music players also are generating enthusiasm from consumers.

In addition to a lineup of new models, the auto show will feature a NASCAR simulator, a Rahal Letterman Racing Indy 500 race car, miniature NASCAR racetrack and a display of exotic vehicles including a Lamborghini Countach, 1953 Jaguar XK120 roadster, 1968 Camaro SS 396, 1939 King George VI Rolls Royce and 1965 Porsche 911 Coupe.

For kids, Dora the Explorer will greet fans and pose for photos from noon-3 p.m. Sunday. Jugglers, magicians and clowns will entertain families each day of the auto show.

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