A row of Mazdas are just some of the 200 new cars and trucks on display at the 2026 Jacksonville International Auto Show. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
Published on February 26, 2026 at 4:00 pm
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Tax season may help sell new cars at this weekend’s Jacksonville International Auto Show, according to some financial experts.
That’s good news for the auto dealers lining up their latest cars, trucks and SUVs for the annual show at the Prime Osborn Convention Center, says a leader of the local dealers association.
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People who buy new vehicles made in the United States can file for a new tax deduction on their 2025 tax filing, allowing them to deduct the interest on auto loans, according to Minnesota Public Radio’s Marketplace.
Jacksonville Automobile Dealers Association Vice President Bill Lynch said it “all looks great for our future.”
“Having this tax rebate — anything down on a car today just helps that payments, because payments are big deal for our clients,” Lynch said. “It’s a big deal, along with the interest rate deduction. That’s another big plus for our clients.”
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More than 200 new vehicles from 18 automakers from Audi to Volkswagen will be on display at the convention center on Water Street from Friday to Sunday.
A number of the automakers are also doing test drives of new models, available for free to adults with valid driver’s licenses. Parking in the main lot off West Bay Street is free.
Many of the vehicles on display come from local dealers, but their staff cannot sell anything from the show floor, only offer information to showgoers and make appointments for later, Lynch said. It is a great first start for people who are in the market for a new car, Lynch said.
Local dealers did face looming tariffs as last year’s show opened, then some sales slowdown afterward, and they had to deal with it to sell cars, Lynch said.
“Every year, we anticipate prices going up — destination and the freight goes up, so we anticipate that and it is just part of doing business,” Lynch said. “We don’t see the tariff because either they absorb it themselves or bake it into a car.”
The interest on auto loan deduction applies whether a taxpayer is itemizing their return or taking the standard deduction. Experts estimate that those who qualify could increase their refunds between $200 to more than $700, Marketplace reported.
The deduction is allowed for interest paid on vehicle loans incurred after Dec. 31, 2024, to purchase new made-in-America vehicles for personal use, the IRS said.
Lynch said interest in fully electric vehicles has dropped, but there are still many EVs on display at the show, from the GMC Hummer to Porsche Taycan and Toyota bZ4X SUV, as well as hybrids and plug-in hybrids.
“You can come see and decide which powertrain and engine best fits your lifestyle,” Lynch said. “At one point we thought (EVs) would be 30% of the market, and when the tax credit came off of it, it really slowed things down. We see it at about 8 to 10% of the overall market in the U.S. being EVs. There’s a big market for that particular buyer.”
Auto show extras
During the weekend show, the Jacksonville Humane Society will host a dog adoption event. Classic cars also will be on display.
Local Mustang Club members will show off their cars from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and the Corvette Club will do the same from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. The Brumos Collection, a classic car museum at 5159 San Pablo Road S., will showcase some of its historic vehicles all weekend.
Proceeds from the show go to the auto dealers association’s annual $100,000 donation to local children’s charities, with more than $2.7 million over the past two decades, Lynch said.
Auto show hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for military, $9 for seniors and free for children 6 and under.
