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Philadelphia Auto Show Ready To Roll Into PA Convention Center

By Brad Segall

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- In the market for a new car? The 2013 edition of the Philadelphia Auto Show pulls into the Pennsylvania Convention Center this weekend.

This year's show is the biggest yet with more than 630,000 square feet of everything automotive. It's one stop shopping for those who are thinking about buying a new car or the enthusiast who just likes to get a glimpse at the new models.

This year, there are 43 new models, up 50% from last year, according to executive director of the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia Kevin Mazzucola.

"It's not the wild west out there," Mazzucola says, "but there is such a gain in the ability to potentially gain in the market share that they are bringing their best foot forward with the biggest variety in their portfolio vehicles to offer the consumer."

The industry is coming off its best year since 2007 and this year analysts expect more than 15-million cars to roll off showroom floors. Mazzucola says the average age of a vehicle today is 11-years-old and signs point to strong sales.

"There's been a stabilization of the unemployment," he says. There's more readily available the credit to purchase these vehicles and there's stronger consumer confidence, and so you see that broad base."

Exit surveys reveal the auto show influences a consumer's purchasing decision.

The show runs from January 18th through the 27th.

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