North American International Auto Show Announces Final 2003 Statistics

DETROIT, Feb. 17 -- The 2003 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) today announced the final statistics resulting from its show held Jan. 5 - 20, 2003, at Cobo Center in Detroit:

  (Editor's Note:  *denotes record attendance)

  Press Preview Days (Jan. 5 - 7)
  Number of media credentialed:                            6,735*
  Percentage of media represented by international press:  31 percent
  Number of countries represented by media:                52
  Number of U.S. states represented by media:              39
  Number of TV networks in attendance:                     263
  Number of automotive analysts in attendance:             631
  Number of press conferences:                             46
  Number of vehicle introductions:                         61
  Number of vehicle introductions since 1989**:            777

**1989 is the year the Detroit Auto Show became The North American International Auto Show

  Industry Preview Days (Jan. 8 & 9)
  Number of Industry Preview attendees:  27,796*
  Number of companies represented:       2,000
  Number of countries represented:       20

  Charity Preview (Jan. 10)
  Tickets sold (at $350 each)                   17,500
  Money raised for local children's charities:  $6.125 million
  Number of participating charities:            11
  Number of songs performed by Celine Dion:     3

  Public Days (Jan. 11 - 20)
  Public attendance:                               810,699*
  Number of days the show was open to the public:  10

  General Statistics
  Total number of exhibits:                             66
  Years the auto show has been a tradition in Detroit:  87
  Years the show has been an international show:        15
  Number of days until NAIAS 2004 set-up begins:        Approx. 270 (late
                                                         Oct./early Nov.)

In addition, the MSN.com Autos web page devoted to the 2003 NAIAS received 71 million page views, compared to 16 million page views in 2002. The highest single day of traffic to this site was Wed., Jan. 8 (the day following the final press conferences), with 15.6 million page views.

"We are obviously thrilled with the record turnout for this year's event," said Bill Demmer, senior co-chair of the 2003 NAIAS. "As the birthplace of the automotive industry, it's only fitting that Detroit be the home to the greatest auto show in the world. It's been our goal year after year to make this the premier showcase of world-class vehicles and designs. We're glad the public -- and the worldwide media -- has embraced the NAIAS and taken it to a new level of excitement. We look forward to more good things to come in the years ahead."

About the North American International Auto Show

Entering its 16th 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. 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 .

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