They kept their word.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) canceled the 2020 Lehigh Valley Auto Show and Preview Gala, March 18-22.

Even so, the Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association presented a $25,000 check to Good Shepherd Pediatrics, designated beneficiary of the 2020 gala.

The Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association will hold the 2021 Lehigh Valley Auto Show, themed “Back on the road again,” March 18 - 21, 2021, Goodman Campus, Lehigh University, Bethlehem.

“It’s going to be an exciting show,” Tom Kwiatek, Executive Director, Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association, said at the Sept. 2 press conference during which the check presentation was made at Good Shepherd Health & Technology Center, Allentown.

“Despite the significant loss of revenue from the 2020 auto show, the franchised new car dealers of the Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association have expressed their desire for continued support of Good Shepherd’s service to the residents of our community,” Sam Borrelli, President, Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association; President, Faulkner Chevrolet Cadillac, Bethlehem, stated in a press release.

“The auto show’s financial loss has forced us to suspend our Charitable Grants Program for the 2020 to 2021 year.

“However, through our previous investments in the Pennsylvania Automotive Association Foundation, we are able to honor our commitment to Good Shepherd,” stated Borrelli.

“The Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association’s generous support helps Good Shepherd Pediatrics provide life-changing rehabilitative care and support for children and families,” Michael Spigel, PT, MHA, the new President & CEO of Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network, stated in a press release.

“Whether a family is encountering the most difficult time of their lives medically or simply seeking out new ways for their child to reach their individual goals, Good Shepherd Pediatrics is there, cheering them on, providing compassionate care and transforming lives through leading-edge rehabilitation,” stated Spigel.

At the press conference, the Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association unveiled a new logo.

“We encourage people to buy vehicles locally at our dealerships where we employ people from the community, contribute to the local economic growth and keep business taxes flowing into the local municipalities,” Kwiatek stated in the press release.

“The communities in and around the Lehigh Valley are great places to live and work. Our association was formed for the purpose of investing in those communities and our new brand identity reflects that,” stated Kwiatek.

The new Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association branding was developed by Sarott Design.

The 2021 Lehigh Valley Auto Show will comply with state and local COVID-19 guidelines in place at the time of the event. Show times and entrance policies depend upon providing a COVID-Safe environment for attendees.

The auto show is a four-day event featuring more than 145,000 square feet of new cars, trucks, SUVs, crossovers, vans and cycles. The 2021 show will mark its 24th anniversary.

Potential backup dates for the 2021 auto show have been cleared with Lehigh University.

Kwiatek told a reporter for The Press that the auto dealers association lost “thousands of dollars in revenue” from the canceled 2020 show.

“We lost a lot of money,” Kwiatek said.

Rental of tents for the auto show cost $325,000.

General Motors was refunded $150,000 for its space at the auto show.

“We had already committed to Good Shepherd,” Kwiatek said of the auto dealers following through on the donation.

Four vehicles were displayed at the Sept. 2 press conference, including the all-new 2021 Mercedes Benz GLA250 4Matic, 2021 Jaguar F-Type Convertible P300, 2020 Cadillac XT6 and 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia.