Record Number of Debuts Help NAIAS Shatter Attendance Records
18 January 2000
Record Number of World and North American Debuts Help L.A. Auto Show Shatter Attendance RecordsLOS ANGELES, Jan. 17 -- A new nine-day record 1,004,275 consumers went California Dreamin' for the newest automobiles at the 2000 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show that closed yesterday at the L.A. Convention Center. The new attendance figure surpasses last year's nine-day attendance of 860,229. Fueled by a healthy economy and surging new car sales, automakers rolled out nearly three dozen never-before-seen production models and concept vehicles to highlight the more than 1,000 vehicles on display. The number of vehicles that received their World or North American debut also is a record for the L.A. Auto Show. The two Media Days that preceded the public opening attracted journalists and industry executives from around the world and across the U.S. who watched as automakers staged entertaining and informative news conferences. Many automakers took advantage of the show's California Dreamin' 2000 theme by incorporating it into their presentations. For instance, Los Angeles Lakers Center Shaquille O'Neal made a surprise appearance by helping Lincoln Mercury President Mark Hutchins introduce the extended Lincoln LS. Among the new models and concept vehicles that received their World or North American debut were: Production Models 2001 Acura CL 2001 Audi TT Roadster 2001 BMW Z8 2001 BMW 3Series Sports Wagon 2000 Daewoo Korando 2000 DeTomaso Mangusta 2001 Infiniti QX4 2000 Kia Spectra GS 2000 Kia Spectra GSX 2001 Lexus IS 300 2001 Mazda Tribute 2001 Pontiac Aztek2000 Porsche 911 Turbo 2000 Rolls-Royce Corniche 2001 Saturn SC Concept Vehicles Buick Regal Cielo Cadillac EldoRODo Chrysler Java Dodge Neon SRT Ford Desert Excursion Ford Mustang Bullitt Honda Spocket Hyundai Equus Lincoln LS Mazda Miata Mono Posto Mercury Mountaineer Mitsubishi SUW Oldsmobile Profile Saturn CV1 Subaru ST/X Suzuki GV Platinum Toyota Ultimate Celica Toyota Celica Convertible Volkswagen Baja Bug In addition to the many debuts and news conferences, the Art Center College of Design showcased senior design studies and works in progress, while the panel discussion attracted an overflow crowd to listen to design luminaries discuss the future of design.