2002 North American International Auto Show Announces Final Attendance Figures

DETROIT, Jan. 21 -- The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) ended on a high note on Martin Luther King Day, as another 41,239 car enthusiasts visited the show. Total attendance during Public Days (Jan. 12-21) reached 759,907.

``Detroit proved once again that no one does a better job of putting together and supporting an International auto show,'' said NAIAS 2002 Co-Chairman Mike Savoie. ``We had excellent crowds once again, proving how passionate Detroiters are about cars and the auto industry. In addition, we provided a venue for manufacturers to launch important, new products to thousands of local, national and international journalists. All in all, the show is a win for everyone involved -- car shoppers, journalists and manufacturers.''

Among this year's highlights:

Exhibit space: This year's show featured 53 exhibitors with more than 1 million square feet of exhibits -- including 250,000 square feet in second-story displays.

Media Attendance: More than 6,100 media registrants attended the Press Preview Days, covering 34 press conferences and 54 worldwide or North American production or concept vehicle debuts.

Industry Preview Days: This year's Industry Preview Days, held Wednesday, January 9 and Thursday, January 10, 2002, resulted in a 25 percent increase in ticket sales over last year, selling 23,000 tickets compared with 17,170 sold in 2001. A total of 2,800 companies were represented this year, a 150 percent increase over the 1,100 companies represented in 2001.

Charity Preview: Charity Preview, which benefits eleven local children's charities, sold out once again. The event raised an additional $6.125 million, bringing the event's total contributions to local charities to more than $38 million since 1976. In fact, more than $20 million has been raised in the past four years alone.

For more event information, please visit www.naias.com.

About the North American International Auto Show

Celebrating its 14th year as an international event, the North American International Auto Show is considered among the most prestigious auto shows in the world. NAIAS 2002 featured more than 50 worldwide and North American vehicle introductions and attracted 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.