Liberty University’s auto show coming to River Ridge Mall Oct. 29-30

Liberty University plans to partner with River Ridge Mall to host a student-run auto show Oct. 29-30 with over $12 million worth of inventory. 

The auto show is Virginia’s largest outdoor new car auto show, and it will host cars from dealers that feature brands such as Toyota, Bentley, Chevy, Audi, Lincoln, Dodge, Subaru, BMW, Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz and more. The auto show will be held in the west wing of the River Ridge Mall parking lot on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Running off the success of last semester’s car show in the School of Business parking lot, the team of students who put on Liberty’s auto shows are preparing for their next exhibition. With more dealers, more cars and bigger brands, this car show will double last semester’s show price of $6 million with a toppling $12 million worth of inventory. 

The variety of car dealerships represented in this auto show has drastically changed since last semester as well. Liberty’s auto show is supporting local and regional dealerships from cities like Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Roanoke, Williamsburg and Highpoint, North Carolina. 

Senior business administration student Asher Braatz is the driving force behind Liberty’s student-run auto shows. Having transferred to Liberty from Northwood University, Braatz got his inspiration for auto shows from the displays Northwood used to showcase for students. 

“It’s very classy. They (the car brands) bring in nice cars, and they fund the students to create the best booth possible to represent the manufacturer,” Braatz said. 

The students decorate their booths however they want. Last semester’s auto show featured a Lincoln booth with the theme “The Simplicity of America.” From white picket fences to hanging string lights, the goal is to spark creativity and
create community. 

“The automotive business hasn’t always been super moral,” Braatz said. “It’s always had a bad reputation, so the cars don’t get me excited. The Christians in the automotive space is what gets me really excited.” 

Braatz said his main goal for this event last year was to connect students with potential employers to flood the industry with Christ-centered Liberty students. The goal remains the same this year as events like this create spaces for students and employers to interact and connect. 

Liberty student Jake Vanwingerden acquired a job at Carter Myers Automotive as a result of last year’s auto show. 

Liberty student Mason Carr, the Jeep captain last year, was excited about the outreach the auto show would create for students, as well as the new cars on display.

“Attending the car show is a great way to make connections,” Carr said. “There (are) lots of companies and people who are looking to hire students from Liberty, so this is a perfect time to meet them. It’s also a fun time seeing all the new cars the dealers are bringing out.” 

For more information about this event, visit linker.ee/luautoshow22 or visit the Facebook and Instagram @luautoshow. 

Napier is a news reporter for the Liberty Champion. Follow her on Twitter