When it opened, it was claimed to be "the largest structure in North America designed exclusively to display passenger vehicles".

[2] During World War II, the building was used by the Royal Canadian Navy and named HMCS York.

The building was renovated, constructing a ballroom in the main exhibit hall and conference rooms on the mezzanine level.

[5] The tender required the winner to pay "a minimum of 50 cents an hour for all men employed on the building.

In 1902, the CNE built the Transportation Building, where cars were displayed alongside streetcars, railway exhibits and carriages.

Early automobiles on display included models from Autocar, Packard, Peerless, Stevens-Duryea and Thomas.

Officials had spots narrowed by roughly a foot, to increase capacity, and introduced parking attendants.

It is one of the best people-pullers in the park.A 1928 Daily Star article published in the afternoon edition on Highways and Automotive Day pegged the total value of automobiles on display at over a million dollars.

[12] A design contest was announced in later October 1928 and launched in early November, with the purpose of starting work in the winter so that the building would be complete in time for the 1929 CNE.

The winner, was local architect Douglas Kertland, apparently winning by a slim point margin, was announced December 12, 1928.

Deemed the "most elaborate automotive building in the world", the CNEA withheld the design until they could adjust the interior.

During World War II, this building was the home to Toronto's naval reserve, known as HMCS York.

[20] In 1999, a study of the-then Direct Energy Centre determined that it had a lack of meeting space compared to other similar facilities in North America.

In 2004, the CNE and City of Toronto approved a CA$47 million renovation of the Automotive Building so that it would provide the meeting space.