LONG BEACH, Calif. (April 11, 2012) – The streets of Long Beach, home of the Grand Prix of Long Beach, soon will be filled with dads and grads test driving auto manufactures newest vehicles.  The SoCal Test Drive Expo, the nation’s first-ever all test drive auto show, will take place in the Long Beach Convention Center on Father’s Day Weekend, June 15-17, 2012. Featuring new makes and models from Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Fiat, Ford, Subaru and Volkswagen, the show’s unique, one-stop registration process will allow visitors to test drive dozens of different vehicles from the automotive brands with a single $10 admission.

Guests at the SoCal Test Drive Expo will begin and end their test drives indoors, buckling up in their choice of nearly 130 different cars and then driving outside onto a portion of the same seaside street course used for the Grand Prix of Long Beach. The show provides car shoppers with a unique opportunity to test drive multiple vehicles from competing brands under one roof in a sales free environment.

“This is the first auto show experience in the country that is focused entirely on test drives,” said Todd Leutheuser, executive director, SoCal Test Drive Expo. “We want to get people behind the wheels of the cars, and give them the chance to experience many different vehicles in one afternoon.”

Highlights of the SoCal Test Drive Expo include Camp Jeep, an interactive, indoor test track that will allow guests to ride along with professional 4x4 drivers to experience Jeep’s on- and off-road capabilities; and a variety of Alternative Fuel vehicles, where guests can view and test drive several competing alt fuel and electric car choices.

The SoCal Test Drive Expo marks the return of the regional auto show circuit to Long Beach for the first time since 1995. Event organizers expect nearly 20,000 test drives will be taken during the three-day show.

Show hours for the SoCal Test Drive Expo are Friday, June 15, 12:00 noon – 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, June 16, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday, June 17, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tickets will be available on line at www.testdriveexpo.com

The SoCal Test Drive Expo is owned and operated by the Southland Motor Car Dealers Association. SMCDA was established in 1932 and represents the majority of new car and truck dealerships in Southern Los Angeles County. Visit SMCDA online at www.smcda.org.