Gordon Wisbach of GW Marketing Services looks ahead to the 2026 Connecticut International Auto Show.
Last year’s Connecticut International Auto Show reminded everyone why it pays to get out from behind the desk. From hands-on test drives and EV showcases to classic cars and conversations with dealers, the 2025 show offered Gordon Wisbach an up-close look at the vehicles, people, and ideas shaping the region’s automotive community.
This year, Gordon is excited to return. He’ll be attending the Connecticut International Auto Show on October 2, 2026, at the Mohegan Sun Expo Center—and he hopes to connect with dealers and industry partners while he’s there.
A Different Conversation in 2026
A lot can change in a year. Fuel costs are back in the conversation: in its September outlook, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that global oil prices averaged $91 per barrel in August, up $7 from July. For shoppers weighing their next vehicle, fuel economy may be one consideration alongside purchase price, financing, and day-to-day practicality.
The mix of vehicles drawing buyer interest is changing, too. The National Automobile Dealers Association reported that conventional hybrids accounted for 15.7% of new-vehicle sales in August 2026, up 3.1 percentage points from a year earlier, while battery-electric vehicles accounted for 6.2%. At the same time, affordability remains a pressing concern: the estimated average new-vehicle monthly payment reached $812 that August.
For dealerships, those figures point to a familiar but increasingly important task: helping customers understand which vehicle fits both their needs and their budget. Clear, relevant marketing can help dealers make that connection—whether a shopper is comparing a hybrid and an EV, considering a more fuel-efficient vehicle, or deciding when to buy.
Why Gordon Keeps Showing Up
With more than 45 years of automotive-industry experience, Gordon understands the value of hearing directly from the people who work in dealerships every day. Shows like this create room for conversations that market reports alone cannot provide: What questions are customers asking? Which vehicles are getting attention? Where do dealers see opportunity, and where do they need support?
At the 2025 show, Gordon especially valued connecting with industry professionals and seeing emerging vehicle technologies firsthand. He also recognized the work of Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association President Sarah Fryxell and Director of Association Operations and Auto Show Ann Munley in bringing the dealer community together. He looks forward to returning with the same curiosity and enthusiasm this year.
Find Gordon at the Show
If you’re attending the 2026 Connecticut International Auto Show, come find Gordon and say hello. Whether you want to talk about dealership marketing, share what you’re seeing in the market, or simply reconnect, he’d welcome the conversation.
Gordon Wisbach
Founder & President, GW Marketing Services
gordon@gwmarketingservices.com | (508) 395-2500
For a look back at last year’s event, read Gordon’s 2025 Connecticut Auto Show reflections.