Revs are high, so are price tags

Show committee chairman Chris Beecham said several manufacturers treated the event as an opportunity to sell new cars as well as display them, with 900 sales recorded last year.

A record 128,000 people visited the show in 2005 and this year more than 50 new models will be among the displays, from a $1.3 million Pagani Zonda Roadster down to the national launch of the Toyota Yaris sedan costing $17,690.

"The total value of all the cars on display would be $200 million to $300 million," Mr Beecham said.

The opening of the show comes as NRMA Insurance yesterday announced it would reduce premiums on cars fitted with swerve or electronic stability control.

Mr Beecham estimated up to 50 per cent of the cars at the show would have ESC fitted as standard or available as an option.

"Everyone has a different name for it, but it's a magnificent technological advancement," he said.

"Five or six years ago most vehicles didn't have airbags and ABS brakes — now they are standard. ESC will soon become standard in new cars."

Mr Beecham said if Queensland had annual roadworthy checks on vehicles there would be more new vehicles with safety devices such as ESC on the roads.

NRMA Insurance state manager Brett Robinson said motor show visitors should put new cars with ESC at the top of their list.

"We applaud those manufacturers who are already installing electronic stability control and hope the move NRMA Insurance is making to include it in our risk profile when assessing new cars will encourage more manufacturers to follow suit."

If there was widespread use of ESC, it could lead to around 3500 fewer collisions on Queensland roads each year, he said.

"We believe this technology has the capacity to save lives on our roads and to particularly reduce the frequency of single-vehicle crashes," Mr Beecham said.

ESC is an extension of anti-lock brake technology, featuring speed sensors and independent braking devices for each wheel to prevent skidding.

Manufacturers already fitting the technology in their cars include luxury makers such as Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Saab, which will all have cars at the show.