Rochelle Salinas Explains How The Houston Auto Show Is Reinventing Exhibits, Experiences, And Community Impact;

We sit down with newly appointed Houston Auto Show president Rochelle Salinas to unpack what it takes to steer a legacy event through inventory shortages, EV uncertainty, and shifting manufacturer strategies while still delivering experiences people can feel.

Rochelle shares concrete updates: Camp Jeep is confirmed, a curated luxury showcase with Modern Luxury is on deck, and outdoor ride-and-drives with Toyota, Subaru, and Stellantis remain a highlight. We’re adding expert-led tours that group vehicles by real buyer needs—SUVs, trucks, family cars—so you can compare fast, ask smart questions, and leave informed. Inspired by trips to LA, New York, and Chicago, we’re bringing an overlanding zone to Houston, complete with camping setups and Scout partnerships to make it hands-on and family friendly.

Community impact gets real with Houston Give Back Day, created with the partner Boat Show to spotlight roughly 20 nonprofits and on-site blood donation. We also celebrate the rapid growth of the student technician competition at Texas State Technical College in Rosenberg—23 teams, scholarships, cash, and tools—building the talent pipeline our industry needs. And for a dose of car culture history, Jeff revisits the Vertipak era, when Chevy shipped Vegas nose-down to pack more cars per railcar, a bold logistics gamble that changed how vehicles move across the country.

We close with a detailed review of the 2026 Chevy Trax. It’s a small SUV with a big value story: clean design, an excellent infotainment screen, surprisingly lively 1.2-liter turbo performance, and near-30 mpg combined, all at a compelling price point. If you’re weighing Trax vs Trailblazer, AWD needs, or interior tech, you’ll get the clarity you’re looking for.

If you enjoyed this conversation, follow and subscribe, share it with a friend who loves cars, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find the show. Your feedback shapes what we explore next.

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