THE Automobile Dealers Association's (ADA) motor show shifted into high gear on Wednesday when the new-car umbrella group announced that Scotiabank Jamaica Limited would be its title sponsor.

The occasion took the form of a media launch at Scotiabank's head office at the corner of Duke and Port Royal streets in downtown Kingston.

"It's going to be called the ADA/Scotia Bank Motor Show 2012," an elated Kent LaCroix told Auto.

The three-day event will run from Friday, March 23 to Sunday, March 25, at the National Arena in St Andrew.

Bruce Bowen, Scotiabank Jamaica Limited's president and chief executive officer, said he was pleased to partner with the ADA and it was going to be an exciting event.

"We've had a long relationship with the ADA over the years. Our customers are both consumers buying cars and the dealers that have a business to run, so it's a natural partnership," he said.

The CEO said that buying a car is one of life's big decisions; therefore, his team would be on hand to provide customers with sound advice in making informed choices.

"The event offers to Jamaican consumers that very rare opportunity, that in one day, they can see all the models available from the respective dealers. It's also an opportunity for family to come out and see which vehicle is best for them," Bowen said.

Kent LaCroix, chairman of the ADA, said his organisation was proud to have BNS as the primary sponsor of the event.

"This respected financial institution has had a long history of providing exceptional service to the Jamaican people and we welcome their association with our event."

The chairman said the ADA's Motor Show has been a must-see event over the years for motor vehicle enthusiasts, persons interested in buying new vehicles and families searching for weekend entertainment.

"The show was a spectacular event in 2007 with approximately 15,000 patrons attending. I am sure that this year's staging will top that record," LaCroix said.

The chairman said the new-car dealers were coming out of a "lean period" as many of the component manufacturers for imported vehicles were almost wiped out by last year's 9.0 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

"There are still some component manufacturers that are still not back on stream," he said. "However, fortunately for us, most of our members have significant stock in place and we hope to sell some of that stock with the good interest rates we'll be getting from the bank," he said.

Sharing the occasion were representatives of the official media partners, RJR Group and the Jamaica Observer Limited.