2007 North American International Auto Show Presents Cutting Edge Automotive Designs and Technology
DETROIT, Nov. 29, 2006 -- The 2007 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) will once again serve as the world stage for some of the automotive industry's most significant and trend-setting vehicle design and technology debuts. NAIAS is also the venue for major international design programs, like the AutoWeek Design Forum, EyesOn Design awards, the Michelin Challenge Design and the "My Other Car Is ... " student project, as the NAIAS again welcomes hundreds of acclaimed designers from around the globe.
"The NAIAS is the premier North American auto show for design and technology," said Robert Thibodeau, Jr., senior co-chairman. "Vehicle design and the accompanying technology are essential elements to the automotive industry and a driving force behind the elaborate exhibits and concept vehicles unveiled at our show."
The second annual EyesOn Design awards program will be held at Cobo Center on Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 1 p.m. and benefits the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology (DIO). The Aesthetics and Innovation, Concept Implementation, and Functionality awards recognize the unique vehicle designs on display at the NAIAS.
Top international designers comprise the jury for the 2007 EyesOn Design awards, including representatives from the automakers, independent and academic design communities. Willie G. Davidson (Harley-Davidson); Fabrizio Giugiaro (ItalDesign); and Niels Diffrient (Ridgefield CT - industrial design and architecture) will serve as judges.
"EyesOn Design puts the best designers in the same room to enjoy one another's work and recognize the best in design," said Thomas Gale, awards chief judge. "We are excited to see what the 2007 award show has in store."
The 2006 EyesOn Design award winners included the Mazda Kabura for Aesthetics and Innovation, while the Chevrolet Camaro won for Concept Implementation and the Ferrari FXX won for Functionality.
Participants in this year's Michelin Challenge Design will attempt to prove that vehicles can be both beautiful and safe. Candidates of this annual international design competition were presented with the challenge of illustrating outstanding automotive design and safe interaction for a variety of roadway users.
Celebrating its 14th consecutive year at NAIAS, the AutoWeek Design Forum will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 10 from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Speakers from the auto industry will be featured during the day-long forum, such as Chrysler 300 designer, Ralph Gilles, Ford Advanced Design Studio Manager, Camillo Pardo and Robert Boniface, director of design, Advanced Design, General Motors.
The AutoWeek Editors' Choice Awards will honor the Best in Show, Most Fun, Most Significant and Best Concept vehicles of the NAIAS 2007. Additionally, the AutoWeek Readers' Choice Awards, new to the dinner program will highlight the readers' favorite vehicles in nine different categories from the 2006 model year.
Advanced registration for the day-long program is $275 for professionals and $125 for students. Please visit http://www.autoweek.com/dforum for additional information and to register on-line.
"My other car is ... " was the assignment of transportation design students from Detroit's College for Creative Studies (CCS) and engineering students from the University of Michigan (U-M) during the 18th annual American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) summer automotive design internship. Students of CCS, recently named one of the world's most innovative design schools by BusinessWeek, joined engineering students from U-M to produce exhilarating concept vehicles that targeted Generation X, Baby Boomers and the Millennial generation. These concept vehicles embody leading-edge steel technology utilizing a flexible platform. The models of these "other car" concepts will be displayed at the NAIAS 2007.
With programs dedicated to automotive design and technology the NAIAS showcases the best the automotive world has to offer.
100th Anniversary
In 2007, The Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) will celebrate the centennial of its successful association with the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). Since its inception in 1907, the show has grown from a regional event featuring 17 exhibitors to an internationally-sanctioned show with over 90 exhibitors, adding more than $600 million to the metro Detroit region last year alone. With the support of Detroit area auto dealers the NAIAS features more new vehicle debuts and garners more media coverage than any show in North America.
NAIAS 2007 Official Dates
Press Preview Days will be held Sunday, Jan. 7 through Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007. Industry Preview Days will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 10 and Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007. The Charity Preview will be held Friday evening, Jan. 12, 2007. Public Days are Saturday, Jan. 13, through Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007.
The North American International Auto Show Rod Alberts - Executive Director
Entering its 19th year as an international event, the North American International Auto Show is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world and is one of the largest media events in North America. The NAIAS is the only auto show in the United States to earn an annual distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, the Paris- based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world. The NAIAS Web site can be accessed at http://www.naias.com/ . The drive, design and desire for cars is here in Detroit!
