North American International Auto Show's Sold-Out 2003 Charity Preview To Raise $6.125 Million for 11 Local Children's Charities

DETROIT, Jan. 10, 2003; The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) today announced that the NAIAS 2003 Charity Preview has officially sold out, making it once again one of the hottest tickets in town. All 17,500 Charity Preview tickets, priced at $350 each, have been sold, raising $6.125 million for 11 local children's charities. ) This year's Charity Preview happens tonight, January 10, at Cobo Center in Detroit. The annual black-tie fundraiser officially commenced with the national anthem being sung by 13-year old Elizabeth Gawecki from Allen Park, Mich. A ribbon-cutting ceremony followed, which featured dignitaries including Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and top officials from major automakers. In addition, four-star General Paul Kern, Commanding General, U.S. Army Material Command, was in attendance.

The doors to the show floor will be open to Charity Preview attendees from 6-9 p.m., where they can sip champagne, enjoy the patriotic sounds of the United States Army Military's prestigious Fife and Drum Corps and get an early look at the show's 700-plus vehicles. Guests will also be treated to the sounds of Grammy-Award winning artist Celine Dion, who will be performing at the Chrysler display stand, compliments of DaimlerChrysler.

Since the inception of the Charity Preview in 1976, the event has raised more than $44 million for children's charities - more than half of that in the past four years alone. The charities benefiting from the 2003 Charity Preview are: Barat Child and Family Services, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, Boys Hope/Girls Hope of Detroit, The Children's Center, Children's Homes of Judson Center, Children's Services of Northeast Guidance Center Assistance League, Detroit Auto Dealers Association Charitable Foundation Fund, Detroit Institute for Children, Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL), Easter Seal Society of Southeastern Michigan, Inc., and March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation.

Public Days for NAIAS 2003 are open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturday, January 11, through Sunday, January 19. On Monday, January 20, the show is open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. No admittance one hour in advance of closing each day.

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 and is one of the largest media events in North America. This year, the show hosted nearly 60 new vehicle introductions. 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 world. The NAIAS website can be accessed at www.naias.com .