The Washington Auto Show opened at the Washington Convention Center in northwest D.C. on Wednesday, January 27 to offer a venue for automakers to show off their latest vehicles, newest technical developments and projected future concept cars to the general audience. The show has traditionally been a major event for car enthusiasts, but has declined in prominence over the past few years.

As a product of the poor economic situation, car manufacturers have suffered. The usual “wow factor” witnessed at the Washington show has consequently been lacking.

“The current cars coming out in 2010 just don’t impress me,” said car-enthusiast, senior Joey Stoll. Resultantly, the show was overwhelmingly empty its opening days.

“You could hear crickets in here Thursday and Friday,” said one worker manning the Audi department. But with the weekend came a wave of visitors. Despite downpours of snow and ice, Washingtonians made their way to fill the Auto Show. Saturday, the show was entirely lively.

Essentially every major auto-manufacturer, from Aston Martin to Mercedes Benz to Hyundai, had an exhibit and cars on display. Some newcomers were also present. Fiat, an Italian car-maker which has been missing from the American auto-market since the 1990s, had two cars on display. Some formerly famous companies were missing, including the now defunct Hummer brand.

View the slideshow for a photo-summary of the Auto Show’s most notable cars and exhibits.