On Saturday, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo kicked off the official opening of the 114th New York International Automobile Show at the newly renovated Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. More than 1 million visitors are expected to attend the unprecedented 10-day event, the largest show of its kind in the country. The dynamic show features nearly 1,000 of the world’s latest automobiles, trucks, motorcycles and concept cars, as well as cars owned by New York Governors Franklin D. Roosevelt, Nelson Rockefeller and Andrew M. Cuomo.

For the first time in several years, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will have a booth at the Auto Show where many of the agency’s most recent online services will be showcased, such as ordering a replacement driver license or signing up for electronic notifications when vehicle registrations and inspections are due. In 2013, the Auto Show generated $263 million in economic activity for New York State and New York City, according to the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, which owns and operates the annual show.

Additionally at the show, Governor Cuomo awarded wounded U.S. Army Specialist Robert J. Loria an honorary license plate for his 2014 Toyota RAV4, which was donated by Toyota. The vehicle has been specially equipped with a spinner knob and crossover directional. Loria, who was medically discharged in 2005 after sustaining wounds as a result of an IED explosion, has been honored with a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star of Valor. The Wounded Warrior Project, a national organization designed to provide help and raise public awareness for injured service members, selected Loria as the vehicle recipient.

“The New York Auto Show embodies the energy and excitement of the Empire State and I am personally thrilled to participate in such a time-honored New York tradition,” Governor Cuomo said. “As the proud owner of a 1975 Corvette Stingray and a 1968 Pontiac GTO Convertible, I know how much New Yorkers love their cars, and that’s why this wonderful show has continued to expand throughout the years, generating hundreds of millions in economic activity for the state. With state-of-the-art exhibits and the world’s most sought-after vehicles all under one roof, this truly is the greatest Auto Show in the world.”

“We are honored to have Governor Cuomo officially open the 2014 New York International Auto Show,” said Mark Schienberg, president of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association. “Each year, since 1900, the New York Auto Show celebrates the automobile industry by showcasing the latest, most advanced new vehicles in the world. Just like the one million people who will be visiting the Show this year, Governor Cuomo's passion for cars and his love of driving inspires this great industry to push the boundaries of innovation and new technology. We are thrilled he's here to kick-off the Show at the fantastic newly renovated Javits Center, and we look forward to welcoming the public inside to take a look at all the exciting new vehicles on display.”

“We are very pleased to have this opportunity to introduce visitors to the New York International Auto Show to all the new online and self-service transactions we now offer at the DMV,” said New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Barbara J. Fiala. “Our booth at the show also features the new Adventure series license plates and the chance to have a vision test done so that license renewals can also be done online. These and other changes in the way the DMV does business were implemented in response to Governor Cuomo’s call for all State agencies to be more responsive to the needs of the state’s citizens. We believe the public will be very pleased with our efforts and the new New York DMV.”

“The Board of Regents and the New York State Museum are honored to present two historic vehicles from the Museum's collections at the New York International Auto Show,” said New York State Education Commissioner John B. King, Jr. “Visitors will have the opportunity to view these automobiles used by New York Governors Franklin D. Roosevelt and Nelson A. Rockefeller. Never before shown together outside of Albany, we're pleased to display these treasures we hold in trust for the people of New York State on this international stage.”“We’re proud to share some of New York State history at the New York International Auto Show,” said State Museum Director Mark Schaming. “Automobile enthusiasts will appreciate these two impressive cars that transported Governors Roosevelt and Rockefeller across New York State. And now hundreds of thousands of visitors will see these two historical vehicles at the entrance of the Auto Show in the Crystal Palace area of the Javits Center.”

"Toyota is honored to support the Wounded Warrior Project and its vitally important work in aiding America's armed forces," said Bob Carter, senior vice president, automotive operations, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "We thank Governor Cuomo for joining us in recognizing Robert Loria, one of the many worthy men and women who have made great sacrifices in defending our nation's freedom."

“The Auto Show truly is a one-of-a-kind experience that generates hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity for New York State and New York City,” said Alan Steel, President and CEO of the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, which operates the Javits Center. “We are proud to host the largest show of its kind anywhere in the country, and I applaud our dedicated workforce for coordinating and constructing a series of breathtaking exhibits that will inspire every attendee to do one thing – drive.”

As a part of today’s opening day ceremony, Governor Cuomo led the traditional parade of vehicles through the Javits Center by driving a 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible. Governor Cuomo’s personal 1975 sky-blue Corvette Stingray, which he had restored, and his 2011 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide will be on display for the duration of the show, as well as a 1932 Packard Phaeton once owned by Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt and a 1967 Lincoln Executive Limousine once owned by Governor Nelson Rockefeller. The vehicles once owned by Governors Roosevelt and Rockefeller were provided by the New York State Museum.

Throughout the 10-day show, the DMV booth will display a self-serve kiosk where more than a dozen transactions can be completed, such as changing an address or ordering a replacement registration document. DMV staff will be equipped with electronic tablets to assist customers in performing additional transactions, such as scheduling road tests or ordering New York’s Outdoor Adventure License Plates. Vision screenings also will be offered so that customers can renew their driver license online without having to visit a DMV office or an eye-care provider.

These new services are part of the DMV’s customer service initiative, which was developed in order to better respond to the needs of New Yorkers. At the DMV booth, members of the New York State’s Department of Parks and Recreation and Department of Environmental Conservation will provide information about the New York State Adventure License Series, which offers New Yorkers the opportunity to purchase lifetime licenses to fish, hunt and visit New York State Parks. Information on receiving an Adventure License, which allows residents to have icons representing their various sporting licenses consolidated onto their New York State Driver’s License, also will be available. Those holding the lifetime licenses are eligible for one of nine Adventure License plates, which have hunting, fishing and parks themes. The DMV booth is located in the Crystal Palace near the front entrance of the Javits Center.

As the largest event hosted at the Javits Center this year, the Auto Show occupies nearly 1 million square feet, and more than 2,200 electricians, carpenters, cleaners and teamsters will participate in the construction, deconstruction, transportation and cleaning of the various exhibits, vehicles and related materials. Located on 11^th Avenue between 34^th and 40^th sts. in Manhattan, the Javits Center is nearing the completion of a top-to-bottom renovation that includes the installation of new lighting, flooring and mechanical systems, the construction of a 6.75-acre green roof – the second largest in the country – and the construction of Javits North, a new 110,000 square-foot, column-free exhibition hall. The Javits Center is considered the busiest convention center in the country, and each year, events at the state-of-the-art facility generate up to $1.5 billion in economic activity for New York and support as many as 14,000 jobs for New Yorkers.