North American International Auto Show Announces Opening Weekend Entertainment Line-up

DETROIT, Jan. 10, 2003; As the opening weekend of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2003 zooms closer and closer, Auto Show aficionados and their families planning on attending should mark their calendars with the following fun activities, sights and entertainment venues.

Starting inside the new NAIAS Food Court located in Wayne Hall off the main concourse, attendees can sample a wide variety of live entertainment in addition to a lively menu. Philly cheese steak sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs, quesadillas, caesar salads, submarine sandwiches, Little Caesars Pizza, cotton candy, popcorn and premium ice cream are just some of the selections available. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages also will be served.

The following is a schedule of entertainment events provided by Greektown Casino, Comcast and The Somerset Collection inside the Food Court:

* Nickelodeon's famous characters, SpongeBob SquarePants and Arnold, will welcome NAIAS visitors on January 11 and 12 (11 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). * Saturday, January 11 (11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), Dr. Beach will make an appearance to conduct hands-on demonstrations and take questions about the ocean and the beaches around the country. * There will be 30-minute-long fashion shows at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 11 and Sunday, January 12, on the NAIAS stage in Michigan Hall, featuring clothing from the Somerset Collection. * Detroit Tigers' players will be signing autographs at the Michigan Hall Stage on Saturday and Sunday, January 11 and 12, from 5-7 p.m.; and Monday through Friday, January 13-17, from 6-8 p.m. * Kids can make soapbox cars at the NAIAS Soap Box Derby Building Contest on Saturday and Sunday January 11 and 12. Children who take turns helping to build a car can enter a contest to win the car built and will have the opportunity to race it next year in the Derby.

Also available at all times inside the Food Court are the following:

* A life size coral reef sand sculpture (scheduled to be built on Friday January 10), will be constructed in the center of the Food Court area (Cobo Arena) and will be on display for all of Public Days. * Greektown Casino will feature the best in local entertainment in the Food Court (Cobo Arena) daily during Public Days. Live music will include classic rock, jazz, Motown Review, pop, Top 40 and a Caribbean Steel Drum band. * Mr. Bib (the Michelin Man) will be touring the show floor throughout Public Days. * Viviano Flower Shops will offer a drawing for a free floral arrangement delivered monthly to the winner. Entries are available in the Viviano-sponsored garden located in the food court. The winner will be drawn on January 20 and need not be present to win. * Winning poster designs from the NAIAS annual poster contest will be featured in the food court for public viewing. * NASCAR driver Bob Martin will sign autographs at the Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) Exhibit on various dates throughout the show.

Back inside Cobo Center, the one million square feet of exhibit space features more than 50 exhibits with more than 700 incredible production and concept vehicles on display. Throw in each exhibitor's special entertainment/educational features at their site and the NAIAS 2003 has something for all ages to enjoy.

* The University of Michigan and the University of Missouri each have cool-looking solar cars on display.

* The Polk Automotive Trend Survey Centers are interactive kiosks located throughout the show floor. When someone answers the Polk survey, he/she can register to win one of 10 portable DVD players. Also, the Polk folks will be walking the show floor with Compaq Ipaq computers for people to take the Polk Survey.

* The Saturn exhibit continuously will be giving away matchbox Saturn cars. Every 20 minutes, they will hand out pens that light-up.

* Volkswagen will be giving out collectable plastic-injected molds of the New Beetle convertible at their booth.

* At the BMW/Mini display, there are go-carts for kids to sit in while playing a virtual driving game, where they will virtually drive through either San Francisco or London. Also, Mini has two computerized pinball machines to use.

* Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) will feature: -- A reaction-time tester game for kids

-- The National Hotrod Association (NHRA) will have Bobby Martin and his sticker-covered Funny Car, a Dodge Avenger, on display. The Funny Car is a drag race vehicle that does 0 - 60 mph in .9 seconds, which kids can have their picture taken with.

* The U.S. Army's exhibits include: -- The TACOM exhibit (Michigan Hall, MH 12) features a new, multi-purpose counterterrorism vehicle, SmarTruck II. Built on a modified Chevrolet Silverado platform, this innovative concept vehicle is engineered to meet the military and homeland defense challenges in a post September 11 environment. SmarTruck II packs a bevy of electronically intelligent devices and modular technology that will give its crew some crucial mission advantages.

-- The Advanced Power Pavilion booth includes interactive educational displays on fuel cells, alternative fuels and hybrid electric technology.

-- The U.S. Army TACOM will feature a climbing wall in the food court. Access to the wall is free to the public.

Public Days for NAIAS 2003 at Cobo Center are open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., through Sunday, January 19. On Monday, January 20, the final day for NAIAS 2003, the Show is open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. No admittance one hour in advance of closing each day.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for seniors over 65 and older. Children 12 years and older are free and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

About the North American International Auto Show

Celebrating its 15th year as an international event, the North American International Auto Show is considered among the most prestigious auto shows in the world. NAIAS 2003 will host more than 60 worldwide and North American vehicle introductions and is expected to attract more than 700,000 attendees. The NAIAS is the only auto show in the United States to earn the distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, the Paris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the globe.

For more information on the North American International Auto Show, check out http://www.naias.com.