Sergio Marchionne to Kick Off 2014 Canadian International AutoShow

Chrysler Group/Fiat CEO will deliver the keynote address to officially open the 2014 Canadian International AutoShow

TORONTO--Jan. 27, 2014: Sergio Marchionne says he lives on a plane. Such is the pace of life for the dynamic Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Chrysler Group LLC and CEO of Fiat S.p.A., who will be the keynote speaker at the official opening ceremonies for the 2014 Canadian International AutoShow (CIAS) in Toronto, on Thursday, February 13.

Already this year, Marchionne has negotiated an agreement for Fiat to fully acquire Chrysler Group, creating a single company that is the seventh-largest automaker in the world. He has also agreed to continue leading that company for another three years.

Next on his agenda, having closed that deal, is overseeing product development and investment plans that include further internationalizing the Alfa Romeo and Jeep brands.

There is also the phenomenal success story of the Chrysler Group and the juxtaposition of the auto industry from 2009 to today. 2014 is a completely different world than the one faced five years ago, and there is no better place to bear witness to this transformation than at the CIAS.

Whatever topic he chooses to address in his keynote address, it is certain to be newsworthy and unconventional from past opening ceremonies.

His appearance in Toronto will also be something of a homecoming for the Italian-born Canadian who was raised and schooled, and began his business career, in this city.

"We are honoured that Sergio Marchionne is coming home to be our keynote speaker and to officially open the 2014 Canadian International AutoShow," said Frank Romeo, president of the CIAS.

The opening ceremonies for the Canadian International AutoShow will take place as part of media preview day on February 13, 2014, at the show's venue in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The show will open to the public on February 14 and run through February 23, 2014.

Each year, one automaker acts as the official host of the show, representing all the manufacturers and staging the opening ceremonies. For 2014, Chrysler Canada will fulfill that role.

The Canadian International AutoShow, which celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2013, is the largest and most important auto show in Canada, typically attracting more than 300,000 attendees and in excess of 1,000 accredited media representatives.

It is also one of the premier auto shows within North America and is gaining in stature internationally.