North American International Auto Show


North American International Auto Show

Last two weeks in JanuaryThe North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) is an automobile exhibition held each year in Detroit, Mich., which is known as the Motor City. In addition to presenting cars that will be available to consumers in the upcoming model year, each year dozens of concept vehicles that have never been seen in North America or in the world are unveiled during the show.
The NAIAS is one of the oldest and largest automobile exhibitions in the world. It began in 1907 when the Detroit Auto Dealers Association formed and decided to showcase their offerings to the public. It has been held nearly every year since then, with the exception of several years during and after World War II.
The Detroit Auto Show began as a gathering in a riverside park and moved to various locations throughout the City of Detroit, finally locating in its current setting at Cobo Center in downtown Detroit in 1965. It has been called NAIAS since 1989, a name change that reflects the participation of automobile manufacturers from around the world. The show runs annually during the final two weeks in January, with the first week reserved for media and industry insiders and the second week open to the public. Since 1976 a black-tie charity ball has taken place on the eve of the public opening of the show. The 2008 show included 119 exhibits and was attended by more than 700,000 public spectators, 37,000 industry insiders, 15,000 charity preview guests, and 6,300 journalists from 63 countries.
CONTACTS:
North American International Auto Show
1900 W. Big Beaver
Troy, MI 48084
248-643-0250; fax: 248-637-0784
www.naias.com
Cobo Center
One Washington Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48226
313-877-8777 or 313-877-8111
www.cobocenter.com
(c)