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January 22, 2003
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This Week:

• News for the C-Class: sports packages for even more dynamic driving pleasure

• Sienna Minivan Rolls Off Toyota's New Indiana Production Line

• PSA Peugeot Citroën To build a Plant in Trnava, Slovakia

• For 2002, GM Earned $1.7 Billion, Or $3.35 Per Share

• Kia Hires New Director of Marketing Communications

• Automobile Magazine Honors BMW with Four All-Stars Awards In Annual Survey

• Volkswagen Marine at boot 2003

• Inglis, Cosgrove Retire From Ford

• North American International Auto Show Attracts More than 810,000 Visitors

• Buick Signs Gogel And Berganio For 2003

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North American International Auto Show Attracts More than 810,000 Visitors
 

DETROIT - The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) today announced that 810,699 people attended the show since it opened with the black-tie Charity Preview on Jan. 10, 2003. Show visitors saw more than 750 vehicles, including more than 60 that were either concept or production vehicles making their world or North American debut. The NAIAS 2003 Committee attributed strong attendance to the world-class vehicles on display at this year's show, Detroiters' passion for the automobile, favorable weather conditions and a variety of family-friendly events.

"Any time we exceed three quarters of a million visitors, we consider it a success, so we are ecstatic with this year's turn out," said Bill Demmer, NAIAS co-chairman.

According to research conducted at NAIAS 2003 by R. L. Polk & Co., this year's large crowd could translate into showroom traffic at local dealerships. The NAIAS is somewhat or very helpful in deciding on a vehicle, according to 84 percent of respondents to Polk Trend Centers at this year's show.

"We've had an incredible show this year and our guests had a lot of entertainment value and fun," Demmer said. "According to the Polk research, we have whet people's appetites. Now that they have seen the cars and trucks they want, they'll have a chance to hit the vehicle showrooms and put some of these great models in their driveway."

This year's NAIAS final attendance eclipsed the previous show's high of 802,301, set in 2000.

In addition to this year's Public Days and Charity Preview attendees, the show attracted nearly 28,000 people from 1,800 companies to Industry Preview Days and more than 6,600 journalists to Press Preview Days. This year, nearly 40 percent of media attendees were from outside the United States.

"The NAIAS continues to be one of the world's top international auto shows, and its increased global presence is starting to draw show goers from outside the Detroit region," said Rod Alberts, Executive Director of the NAIAS. "As we continue to grow in stature with the international auto industry, it will become even more important to ensure that we have a world-class facility to allow for future growth. We look forward to continuing to make NAIAS a fun destination for families and a great venue for manufacturers to launch world-class vehicles."

(Jan 21, 2003)