PROVIDENCE The 2008 Northeast International Auto Show is coming to town this week and features an unusually large number of concept and pre-production models in addition to the usual wide range of vehicles currently available on dealers’ lots.

The show at the Providence Convention Center at One Sabin Street provides a great opportunity to check out most models without having to drive from one dealer to another. And that’s a good deal, as is the fact that it is a non-selling show so there is none of the pressure usually associated with visiting a dealership.

“We’re excited about the show,” said Jack Perkins, executive director of the Rhode Island Automobile Dealers Association (RIADA). “Consumers get to see as many vehicles as they can in one location. They can get in the cars, talk to reps and get a sense of what they are looking for.”

“It’s the number one reason people come,” he added. “They are in the market for a new car and studies show 50 percent buy a car within the year.”

At the same time, it’s the concept and exotic cars that catch the eye and give “sizzle to the show,” said Laruen Holzman, spokeswoman for Motor Trend Auto Shows, which puts together the show with the RIADA.

She said there will be six concept cars making their first visit to Rhode Island, “which is a huge deal.” They are the Chevrolet Nomad, the Chrysler ME Four-Twelve, the Ford Airstream, the Ford Interceptor, the Lincoln MKR and the Suzuki SXBOX, which is designed around the Microsoft Xbox gaming system.

The show will run Thursday, Jan. 24, through Sunday, Jan. 27. Hours and admission pricing are listed below.

About 25 mainstream manufacturers will be represented, according to Motor Trend, with a number of new or redesigned 2008-model vehicles on display, including the Nissan Rogue, Volvo C30, Jeep Liberty, Ford F-250 Super Duty, Chrysler Town & Country, Honda Accord and Saturn Vue.

There will also be a collection of hybrids including the Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Altima, Saturn Aura, Toyota Highlander and Lexus GS.

The show will also offer pre-production 2009 models yet to hit the dealer showrooms, including the Ford Flex, the Ford F-150 and the Lincoln MKS, as well as the 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt.

The 2009 Ford 150, which is coming straight from the Detroit Auto Show where it was first shown, has a number of new features, including a redesigned three-bar grille, more spacious interior and a choice of three V8 engines.

The cab, which is 6 inches bigger, comes in three styles; in addition, there are four box options and seven trim levels ranging from the basic XL workhorse to the high-end Lariat and King Ranch models.

The ultimate is the Platinum series, which features “a satin chrome grille with fine mesh inserts, 10-way captain’s chairs upholstered with top-quality leather, tuxedo stitching and embroidered logos on the seatbacks . . . satin gloss Lacrosse Ash wood grain accents and real brushed aluminum panels give the dash” according to Ford.

Perkins is cautiously optimistic about the market in general. “It was not as rough through last year as people thought it was going to be,” he said. “The market was off slightly and there was a shift from trucks to cars, but it was close to even.”

But he noted that the market has expanded over the last 10 years. “The last five years, some were the largest in terms of units sold,” he said, noting that 2007 was still historically a good year. “The market is so much bigger.”

“This year is hard to say,” he said. “One bit of good news is that interest rates have remained lower and may well go lower. There’s a lot of talk of stimulus packages (from Washington).”

Indeed, in a surprise move, the Federal Reserve yesterday cut the federal funds rate to 3.5 percent from 4.25 percent, the biggest one-day move since it slashed its discount rate by one percent in 1991.

“And vehicles have not gone up in price year to year and remain affordable,” he added.

At the same time, he said gasoline prices were fluctuating. “It’s hard to figure out what’s going to happen. Are they heading higher or stabilizing?” he said, noting that they even were “down in places.”

In addition to cars and trucks, there will be a number of new motorcycles on display from Razee Motorcycle and Honda Suzuki World.

“So if you are in the market for a new (vehicle), the auto show is the place to be (this) week,” said Holzman.

“Plus it will be warm in the building!” said Perkins.

Show hours are noon to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 24, and Friday, Jan. 25; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 27.

Admission is $9 for adults (13 and over), $6 for senior citizens (62 and over) and $4 for children (7 through 12). Children 6 and younger are admitted free with a paying adult.

For more information, see:

www.providenceautoshow.com

www.riadaonline.com.

pelsworth@projo.com