2005 North American International Auto Show Holiday Weekend Yields Strong Attendance

DETROIT, Jan. 19, 2005 -- The 2005 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) reported today that 303,447 people attended the past holiday weekend, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 17, which was the highest attended Monday in the show's history with 93,115 visitors.

Public Days for NAIAS 2005 will continue running daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Saturday, Jan. 22, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 23. There will be no admittance one hour prior to show closing.

Show visitors saw more than 700 vehicles during the opening weekend, including more than 60 that were either concept or production vehicles making their world or North American debut. Visitors were treated to live musical performances sponsored by Greektown Casino.

Several Indy Racing League (IRL) drivers were on hand to sign autographs inside COBO Center Saturday, Jan. 15, while offering patrons racing simulations. DUB Magazine featured celebrity-owned customized cars and trucks from their exhibit inside Michigan Hall.

Car enthusiasts also enjoyed interactive activities from Mini Cooper that demonstrated the agility, safety and customization of their vehicles through pinball and driving simulation games. Lincoln featured a customized Mark LT Chopper, built by the stars of the Discovery Channel's popular "American Chopper" TV program.

The NAIAS 2005 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.

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.

  Ticket prices for Public Days are as follows:

  Adult: $12 ($14 Canadian)
  Senior Citizen (65 and older): $6 - tickets must be purchased on-site
   ($7.00 Canadian)
  Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by a parent and do not
   require a ticket.

  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/ .