North American International Auto Show Announces 2006 Dates & 2005 Statistics

NBC Sports Broadcast, MSN Autos Web Hits and 6,800+ Journalists Mark Another Banner Year

DETROIT, Feb. 9 -- The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) announced today the dates for 2006, which are Jan. 8-22 at COBO Center in Detroit. Press Preview Days will be held Sunday, Jan. 8, through Tuesday, Jan. 10. Industry Preview Days will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 11 and Thursday, Jan. 12. The Charity Preview will be held Friday evening, Jan. 13. Public Days are Saturday, Jan. 14, through Sunday, Jan. 22.

In addition, the NAIAS announced the final 2005 statistics, which support the recognition this event has received as North America's premier automotive venue.

"We are obviously thrilled with the incredible turnout for this year's event," said Richard Genthe, senior co-chairman of the NAIAS 2006. "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 be the premier showcase of world-class vehicles and designs. We're glad the public -- and droves of worldwide media -- have 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."

A key attraction featured at this year's NAIAS was a live two-hour broadcast by NBC Sports titled, "International Auto Show," which ran from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 23. This unprecedented broadcast attracted 8.8 million viewers. The special, featuring NBC's NASCAR announcers, Bill Weber, Allen Bestwick and Benny Parsons, delivered a 2.4 (7 million households) national rating and five share according to Nielsen Media Research. The program also featured NASCAR pit reporters Marty Snider and Dave Burns visiting exhibits and talking to experts from the automotive world.

Additionally, the MSN.com Autos Web page devoted to the 2005 NAIAS received 73 million page views, served 2.2 million videos and featured 1,200 photographs.

   Press Preview Days (Jan. 9 - 11)
   Number of media credentialed:                            6,897
   Percentage of media represented by international press:  31 percent
   Number of countries represented by media:                61
   Number of U.S. states represented by media:              43
   Number of TV networks in attendance:                     279
   Number of automotive analysts in attendance:             1,050
   Number of press conferences:                             41
   Number of vehicle introductions:                         68
   Number of worldwide introductions                        55
   Number of vehicle introductions since 1989:              924

Industry Preview Days, running Jan. 12 and 13, attracted 35,711 attendees from 2,150 companies. Of those companies, 24 countries were represented. In addition, Charity Preview, on Jan. 14 sold out once again with 17,500 guests. Tickets for this gala affair were $400 each and resulted in $7 million raised for 11 local Detroit children's charities. Finally, NAIAS Public Days, running Jan. 15 - 23, attracted 773,422 visitors over nine days.

About the North American International Auto Show

Entering its 18th 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/ .