The unassuming looking 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI sedan delivers better than 40 miles per gallon of diesel fuel.

VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA

PROVIDENCE The 2009 Northeast International Auto Show opens at the Rhode Island Convention Center tomorrow, and with auto sales down last year, this is may be a great time to check out possible deals on a new vehicle.

“There are very outstanding deals out there for people who are looking to buy,” said Jack Perkins, executive director of the Rhode Island Automobile Dealers Association (RIADA), which is presenting the show, which runs from noon tomorrow through Sunday evening.

He cited aggressive incentives, including rebates and financing, on everything from compacts to SUVs.

“With more financing available, it’s the time to buy,” said Lauren Holzman of Motor Trend Auto Shows which is producing the show. “The deals are amazing.”

That being said, the show is not a place to make a purchase. Indeed, the lack of salesroom pressure makes it an ideal opportunity for would-be buyers to check out the full range of current vehicles without having to drive from one dealership to another.

Last year saw gas prices rise to more than $4 a gallon in July only to fall off to less than $2 by year’s end. The suddenness of the change caused a wrenching shift in consumer demand, with overall sales falling 18 percent to 13.2 million vehicles and sales of cars topping sales of light trucks and SUVs for the first time since 2000.

Fuel prices now appear to be stabilizing, along with crude oil prices, with gas prices in Rhode Island up 4 cents a gallon, according to the state Office of Energy Resources.

“Gas prices are low relative to where they were,” said Perkins, adding that he expects sales of bigger vehicles to pick up.

“I think they have (recovered) to some degree,” he said of SUV sales. “Keep in mind some SUVs do rank better on gas mileage than they used to. The expectation is that all vehicles will do better in gas mileage.”

Indeed, Ford will be displaying its Explorer America concept SUV, which is armed with a two-liter, four cylinder, turbocharged direct injection EcoBoost gas engine that gets 30 percent better mileage, according to Ford spokeswoman Judy DePalma.

“The automakers are responding as fast as they can in the short term,” Perkins said of the push to create more fuel-efficient vehicles. “They can’t turn around things in a day. But there is progress and we’ll see more of that at the show.”

In addition to Ford’s new Explorer, there will be green directional arrows along the aisle carpet and an auto show map that will guide attendees to the latest alternative fuel models.

“The Green Trail is a great thing for folks to find out about alternative fuels as they follow the bright green arrows to hybrids and other alternative fuel vehicles,” said Holzman.

Perkins said he expects Volkswagen to be displaying its new clean diesel Jetta sedan and Sportwagen.

Overall, hundreds of 2009 model cars, trucks, crossovers, vans and SUVs representing more than 20 domestic and foreign manufacturers will be on display, with more than 25 vehicles rated at over 30 miles per gallon on the highway.

And the latest sport bikes, cruisers, touring bikes, scooters, dirt bikes, four wheelers, utility vehicles and more courtesy of Razee Motorcycle and Honda Suzuki World, will also be showcased.

At the same time, the Providence Auto Show is typically smaller than the New England International Auto Show in Boston, and typically does not feature exotics.

“It’s a good show this year with a lot of 2010 models you cannot see in the showroom,” Holzman added. They include the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Fusion, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Ford Mustang, Mercury Milan Hybrid and Lincoln MKZ.

Ford is also displaying its European designed Verve concept, which it describes as its “new vision of the future: small cars and sustainability,” according to DePalma.

“We were lucky to get them, especially now,” said Holzman of the concept cars.

Perkins said he sees the market picking up next year but not fully recovering for a while.

“In 2009 the economy will not recover but we will see signs of recovery,” he said.

Indeed, automakers are not expecting a full recovery of the market for at least four years, according to analysts cited in yesterday’s The New York Times.

“Most people are hoping for loosening of credit,” said Perkins of the immediate future. “That will help consumers purchase vehicles, but it takes time.”

The show at the Rhode Island Convention Center at One Sabin Street in Providence runs tomorrow through Sunday. Hours are 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. tomorrow and Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for senior citizens (62+), $5 for students and $4 for children 7 to 12. Children 6 and under are admitted free. However, if you buy your tickets online, adults pay $7, seniors $6 and children $4.

Tomorrow, college students can buy one $9 adult admission with valid college ID and get a second adult admission free with a second valid college ID.

And on Sunday, children 12 and under will be admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult. For young girls, Barbie will be at the show on Sunday between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

“A lot of Moms and Dads bring their kids and [an actress dressed as Barbie] is something for their daughters,” said Holzman.

In addition, Motor Trend Auto Shows, which is producing the show, is offering a free, one-year subscription to Motor Trend Magazine with each online ticket order or box office purchase. Simply complete the subscription card at the show.

For more information, call (401) 458-6000 or go to: www. motortrendautoshows.com and click on Providence.

pelsworth@projo.com