2015 Australian Motoring Festival : Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota promise diverse displays for inaugural event

Organisers of the four-day festival say the involvement of the three diverse brands gives motoring enthusiasts an indication of the sort of diversity they can expect from the interactive indoor and outdoor experience.

“These three global brands are among the largest in the industry across the luxury sports, prestige and everyday categories,” Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce executive director Geoff Gwilym said. “We would like to thank them for supporting the inaugural year of the Australian Motoring Festival.

“We are confident that the festival will offer them the opportunity to connect with the Australian driving public in a new and dynamic way.”

Ferrari Australasia CEO Herbert Appleroth said the iconic Italian sports car maker was excited to be a feature brand at the inaugural event.

“This is a unique opportunity for lovers of cars to get close and personal with our brand and our beautiful vehicles,” Appleroth said.

“Our Ferrari Experience display area will feature 30 years of Ferrari supercar history and a stunning Ferrari showroom with the latest range of Ferrari road cars.

“The Australian Motoring Festival is an event that no Ferrari enthusiast will want to miss.”

Mercedes-Benz Australia CEO Horst von Sanden and Toyota Australia southern regional manager Stephen Slater also promised dynamic experiences for festival-goers.

“The Australian Motoring Festival will be an excellent platform for Mercedes-Benz to showcase the latest safety technology and performance vehicles,” von Sanden said.

“We will be featuring Mercedes-AMG models and the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy during the festival, along with a few surprise vehicles.”

Slater added: “The Australian Motoring Festival will be a great opportunity to let motoring enthusiasts look, feel and touch all the different vehicles in our extensive range and experience the technology in an interesting, interactive environment.

“We’re really excited to be involved, and look forward to bringing festival patrons into the Toyota family.”

Among the attractions at the Australian Motoring Festival will be the new car pavilion and promenade where attendees will be able to set up close and personal with new models, the auto design centre and industry showroom with displays and information about careers in the industry, on-road and off-road test tracks, the History that Moves exhibition with 150 vehicles that show the progression of the automobile, and a vehicle auction for vintage and classic cars, among others.

The Australian Motoring Festival runs from March 26-29 at the Melbourne Showgrounds. Single-day tickets cost $30 for adults, $25 for concessions, $20 for kids (5-15 years), $60 for families (two adults plus up to three children), and kids under five are free.