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More than 300,000 Attend New York Auto Show on Easter Weekend

15 April 1998

Easter Weekend Attracts More than 300,000 Visitors to the 1998 New York Auto Show

    NEW YORK, April 15 -- The biggest Auto Show in North America
just got bigger.  Opening weekend receipts for the 1998 New York International
Automobile Show (NYIAS) marked an increase in attendance over 1997 and
established record-breaking attendance reports for any Monday in the Show's
98-year history.
    The numbers on Saturday, April 11 showed a six percent increase over 1997,
as the Show attracted a whopping 151,000 auto enthusiasts.  Easter Sunday was
also strong as 164,000 consumers visited the Javits Center.  Show organizers
attribute the growth to the many new and exciting car, truck and SUV
introductions, which range from affordable family vehicles to performance-
oriented sports cars, as well as the numerous state-of-the-art displays and
attractions.  The 1998 Show features ten world introductions, seven North
American debuts, armor plated vehicles, and numerous raffle opportunities for
patrons to win new cars.
    "The Auto Show is a great place to take the family," said John LaSorsa,
Chairman of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association Auto Show
Committee, the group that owns and manages the Show.  "In addition to the more
than 1,000 cars and trucks situated in elaborate and exotic floor displays, we
have a 360-degree Circle Scope Theater that shows a free, 14-minute film and
is sponsored by Mercedes-Benz."  Other attractions will include appearances by
WNBA stars Kisha Ford, Rebecca Lobo, and Sue Wicks.  Sports Illustrated
swimsuit model Louise Forsling and Chris Barron, the lead singer of the Spin
Doctors, will be at the Sony-Microsoft booth on Level 1 from 7-8 p.m. on
Wed., April 15.
    The NYIAS is open to the public through Sunday April 19.  Show times are
11:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. Monday - Saturday, and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Tickets are $9 for adults and $3 for children under 12.

SOURCE  New York Auto Show