Chattanooga’s place as an international automotive city shifts into a higher gear over the next two days as it sees a couple of firsts, according to local officials.
About 70 journalists, 30 with international credentials, are here for the inaugural Chattanooga MotorCar Festival. Also attracting many of them is the world launch of Volkswagen’s newest SUV, the five-seat Atlas Cross Sport, which will take place publicly at the two-day festival that begins Friday.
About 10,000 people in all are expected for the festival, which is projected to create a $3.7 million economic impact on the city, said Barry White, who heads the Chattanooga Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The economic impact figure includes ticket prices, hotel stays and restaurant, transportation and other spending, he said.
“We’re ecstatic for a first-year event,” White said.