218,000 Attend Opening Weekend In Detroit

DETROIT, Jan. 13, 2003; The 2003 North American International
Auto Show (NAIAS) reported today that more than 218,000 people attended its
opening weekend to the public (Saturday, Jan. 11 and Sunday, Jan. 12).
        Public show days began Saturday, Jan. 11, running from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.,
and will conclude Monday, Jan. 20 (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.).
    Show visitors saw more than 700 vehicles, including nearly 60 that were
either concept or production vehicles making their world or North American
debut.  Visitors also enjoyed live music sponsored by Greektown Casino in the
Food Court and an appearance by SpongeBob Squarepants, the popular Nickelodeon
character, courtesy of Comcast.  Next weekend, another popular Nickelodeon
character, Arnold, will visit the show, courtesy of Comcast (Saturday, Jan. 18
through Martin Luther King Day, Monday, Jan. 20).
    The NAIAS 2003 Committee attributed this weekend's strong ticket sales to
the world-class vehicles on display at this year's show, Detroiters' passion
for the automobile and a variety of family-friendly events.
    Tickets for the North American International Auto Show are available
online at http://www.naias.com and at all Ticketmaster outlets.
   The best bet for expediting entry into the show is to purchase tickets
electronically.  Lines at the E-ticket pickup counter are significantly
shorter than the booths where tickets are sold on site.  When purchasing auto
show tickets on-line, a voucher is provided to obtain tickets at the E-ticket
window, located on the main concourse near the Oakland entrance of Cobo
Center.  The E-ticket window is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Jan. 11-19 and 9 a.m.
to 6 p.m., Jan. 20.
    Tickets are $12 each.  Children under 12 are free and must be accompanied
by a guardian.  Tickets for senior citizens (65 or older) are $6.

    About the North American International Auto Show
    Celebrating its 15th year as an international event, the North American
International Auto Show is considered among the most prestigious auto shows in
the world.  NAIAS 2003 features nearly 60 worldwide and North American vehicle
introductions and is expected to attract more than 700,000 attendees.  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 globe.