Chicago Auto Show 2017: Hispanic Heritage Day

Roz Varon Image
Friday, February 17, 2017
Hispanic Heritgage day at Chicago Auto Show
Friday is Hispanic Heritage Day at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show!

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Friday is Hispanic Heritage Day at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show! It's the final weekend for the 2017 Chicago Auto Show and the last three days are expected to be the busiest.

On a gorgeous Friday afternoon ahead of a long weekend a lot of kids found their way to the auto show. Mariachi bands, folklore dancers and tango dancers performed in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Day.

Toyota held a bilingual game show designed to include -- as they highlight that the company has created nearly half a million American jobs in six decades.

Hispanics will make most of the vehicle purchase decisions in the next 20 to 30 years, which is why the Chicago Auto Show has one day dedicated them.

Jennifer Morand, Director of Public Relations at the Chicago Auto Show, talked to ABC7's Roz Varon about the special programming in store for visitors Friday.

"The Hispanic segment is such an important demographic and automakers know that they must target that demographic," said Morand.

ABC 7's Roz Varon held court on Facebook earlier on Friday, discussing automotive safety and sustainability. The crush of technology at drivers' fingertips should make the roads safer -- but the entertainment side in these vehicles needs to be kept in perspective as American traffic fatalities have recently begin to rise again.

"Calling up on cell phones, texting, entertainment systems. It's our belief that these are distractions and will always be distractions. We believe that the national safety council should tell everyone to just drive," said Alex Epstein, Senior Director, Digital Strategy and Content for the National Safety Council.

2017 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW

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The 2017 Mercedes-Benz G-class takes on a 42-degree incline at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 13, 2017.

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The Chevrolet Lego Batmobile concept on display at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 9, 2017.

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The 2018 Lexus LC500h on display at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 9, 2017.

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A 10-foot-tall World Series trophy is carried on the bed of the 2017 Toyota Tundra at the Concept and Technology Garage event at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 8, 2017.

The Chicago Auto Show runs through Monday, Feb. 20.