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Detroit Auto Dealers Association Announces Dates For 2000

5 February 1999

Detroit Auto Dealers Association Announces Dates For 2000 North American International Auto Show

    DETROIT, Feb. 4 -- The North American International Auto Show
(NAIAS) today announced that it has received confirmation from Detroit's Cobo
Center of the dates for the NAIAS 2000.
    "We've said right along that we'd try to have an announcement in early
February, and are now pleased to announce that Monday, January 10 through
Sunday, January 23, 2000, have been reserved at Cobo Center for the NAIAS
2000," said Russ Shelton, auto show senior co-chair, and owner of Shelton
Pontiac-Buick, Rochester Hills, Mich.

    Media Days
    "The show will be open to the media for three days beginning on Monday,
January 10, through Wednesday, January 12, 2000," said Shelton.  (More than
6,000 media from 70 countries were credentialed for the 1999 NAIAS.)
    Shelton said that the response has been extremely positive from those
affiliated with the show, including auto executives, exhibit companies and
members of the international media, when they were informed that the show
would open the second week of January instead of the first.
    "We were very concerned about asking visiting journalists and auto
executives to travel so close to the holidays, and during the first week of
January 2000 because of Y2K computer concerns," added Shelton.  "We're very
comfortable with these dates and believe others will be, too."
    Steve Harris, senior vice president of communications for DaimlerChrysler,
said he's relieved the show has been moved back one week.  "We think this is a
step in the right direction and meets the concerns of the dealers,
manufacturers and media."
    Ingo Reckhorn, exhibit manager for Volkswagen of America, Inc., added "The
North American International Auto Show has come so far in the last 11 years in
terms of status, position and world wide recognition.  However, few
journalists or executives would be prepared to spend the greatest New Year's
Eve celebration in 1,000 years traveling.  We are pleased to hear of the dates
and are looking forward to the millennium show."
    Lou Pavledes, director of Detroit's Cobo Center, said he's glad to have
been able to work things out for the preferred dates of the NAIAS.  "It was a
challenging task, but we felt we needed to do this to help protect the show
and the more than $400 million of economic impact it brings to the City of
Detroit."

    Supplier Preview
    Supplier Preview, a day-and-a-half reserved for employees of hundreds of
companies and organizations which support the automotive industry from around
the world, will be held all day on Thursday, Jan. 13, and the morning of
Friday, Jan. 14, 2000.

    Charity Preview
    Charity Preview, which in 1999 raised over $4 million for 11 Detroit
children's charities, will be held the evening of Friday, Jan. 14, 2000.

    Public Show
    The public show will open on Saturday, Jan. 15, and run through Sunday,
Jan. 23, 2000.  The 1999 NAIAS drew nearly 700,000 car enthusiasts.

    Celebrating its 11th year as an international event, the North American
International Auto Show is considered among the most prestigious auto shows in
the world.  The NAIAS is the only auto show in North America to earn the
sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles,
the Paris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers
from around the world.