2005 North American International Auto Show Opening Weekend Jammed With New Vehicles, Family Entertainment and Attractions

DETROIT, Jan. 14, 2005 -- The 2005 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) charges from the gates with a jam-packed weekend of family- friendly entertainment, celebrity appearances and attractions beginning on Saturday, Jan. 15, the first of eight Public Days. For added convenience, the NAIAS 2005 opens one hour earlier at 9:00 a.m. and closes at 10:00 p.m.

  
   
   The following is a list of fun things to see and do at NAIAS 2005:
   
   Chevrolet
   * ZO6 downloadable cell phone features
   -- Visitors with video-enabled cell phones will be able to download
   custom Corvette ring tones, interviews and other video at
   Chevrolet's Corvette display area
   
   DUB Magazine Exhibit
   
   * DUB Magazine will be displaying the following customized cars and
   trucks in Michigan Hall:
   -- Chicago rapper Twista's 2005 DUB-edition Chrysler 300C
   -- R&B duo Nina Sky's 2005 DUB-edition Chrysler Crossfire roadster
   -- Pepsi, Co.'s 2005 Dub-edition Dodge Magnum
   * The following personal appearances are also scheduled:
   -- Lindsey Hunter of the Detroit Pistons and his 2003 Hummer H2,
   featuring 28-inch wheels
   -- Maurice Taylor of the Houston Rockets and his 1972 Chevrolet Monte
   Carlo
   
   Ford
   * SYN(US) Concept Car
   -- Features 45-inch flat screen monitor imbedded in rear tailgate
   -- Visitors can watch the monitor in the back seat, which turns 180
   degrees to face the screen
   
   Indy Racing League (IRL) Drivers
   * The following IRL drivers will be at COBO Center Saturday, Jan. 15 for
   an autograph session from noon - 1 p.m.:
   -- Townsend Bell
   -- Scott Dixon
   -- A.J. Foyt IV
   -- Darren Manning
   -- Tomas Sheckter
   * After the autograph session, the drivers will participate in a media
   challenge on the driving simulators in COBO Center
   * This exhibit will include two Indy Racing League simulators featuring
   the IndyCar Series 2005 video game, a Panther Racing Chevrolet show car
   and an Indy Racing Experience two-seat IndyCar Series car.
   
   Lincoln
   * Orange County Choppers' customized Mark LT Chopper
   -- The chopper built by the cast of Discovery Channel's "American
   Chopper" will be on display at the Lincoln exhibit
   
   Mazda
   * Grand Tourismo-4 driving simulator
   -- Interactive video game
   -- Features choice of cars, including the Mazda Crossport and a choice
   of virtual cities in which to race
   
   Mercury
   * Reconfigurable dashboard display
   -- Features a kiosk where visitors can reconfigure and personalize the
   dashboard of Mercury vehicles
   -- Dashboard features include a navigation system, MP3 player and push-
   button transmission
   * Lane Departure Warning safety feature simulator
   -- Visitors are able to experience the Lane Departure Warning safety
   feature, which sends vibrations through the driver's seat when the car
   drifts out of its lane
   
   Mini
   * Mini-inspired pinball machines
   * Interactive driving simulator that forces the "driver" to avoid
   obstacles, then offers an evaluation of the driver's performance
   * Manual-transmission simulator allowing the "driver" to shift virtual
   gears
   * Mini photo booth
   -- Allows visitors to pose inside a Mini, select the colors, background
   and passenger and take a customized photo
   
   Subaru
   * Grand Turismo-3 by Subaru - interactive racing video game
   -- Features a hydraulic chair that simulates the movements of a virtual
   race car
   
   Volkswagen
   * Volkswagen Jetta driving simulator
   * "VW's SchnellDriver"
   -- Similar to a game show, visitors will be asked questions and given
   prizes for correct answers
   
   Volvo
   * V70 environmental display
   -- Modeled after a car in which every window is a video monitor, the
   display explains, both with audio and video, the benefits of low
   emissions, recycled interior material and other environmentally
   friendly features.
   
   COBO Arena Live Entertainment
   
   Saturday, Jan. 15
   11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Class Act
   5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. - Kaleidoscope
   
   Sunday, Jan. 16
   11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Dal Bouey
   5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. - Matthew McNabb

Public Days for the NAIAS are Saturday, Jan. 15, through Saturday, Jan. 22, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 23, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. There is no admittance one hour prior to show closing.

  Ticket prices for Public Days are as follows:

       Adult: $12
       Senior Citizen (65 and older): $6 (tickets must be purchased on-site)
       Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by a parent and do
       not require a ticket.

To help alleviate delays at on-site ticket booths, eTickets are available for convenient, online purchase at http://www.naias.com/. Orders for eTickets provide a voucher to be redeemed for show tickets at the eTicket window, located at the Oakland Hall entrance of COBO Center.

Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.com/, or by calling (248) 645-6666.

About the North American International Auto Show

Entering its 17th 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 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 Web site can be accessed at http://www.naias.com/.