A Show to Remember: NAIAS 2012 Closes with Smiles, High-Fives, and Optimism

DETROIT, Jan. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- After a spectacular nine day run, the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2012 is in the books. Today's attendance of 101,141 topped last year's final day numbers of 98,106, bringing total attendance of the 2012 show to 770,932, the highest since 2005.

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Bill Perkins, chairman, NAIAS, said the show lived up to its reputation of being one of the top in the world.

"From the press to the public, everyone realized that this was a very special show," said Perkins. "People want to feel good again about the industry, which is now obviously in a better place than it was a few years ago. As a result, this year's show was a 'must-see' event, as the attendance numbers indicate," he said. "Everything that could go right... did."

Jim Seavitt, NAIAS 2012 vice chair (and incoming chair of NAIAS 2013) said the overwhelming feeling of automaker confidence, which was demonstrated in the more than 40 product unveilings and in the new exhibits, helped to create a positive environment at the auto show.

"NAIAS is positioned along with shows in Geneva, Frankfurt, Paris, Beijing and Tokyo because of the number of journalists who attend, and the number of worldwide product unveilings we host," said Seavitt. "We are traditionally very strong in both categories, which is why NAIAS remains an important part of the automakers' global product launch strategies."

NAIAS Highlights, include:

• 5,196 media from 61 countries attended Press Preview Days
• 22,788 auto suppliers, designers, engineers, etc., attended Industry Preview Days representing 28 countries, and more than 2,000 companies
• 12,000 people attended Charity Preview raising $3 million for children's charities
• And 770,932 car enthusiasts attended public show (compared to 735,370 in 2011)

About the North American International Auto Show
Completing its 24th year as an international event, the NAIAS is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world, providing unparalleled access to the automotive products, people and ideas that matter most - up close and in one place. One of the largest media events in North America, the NAIAS is the only auto show in the United States to earn an annual distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, the Paris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world.

SOURCE North American International Auto Show