DETROIT, Jan. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2007 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) opens to the public today with new breathtaking exhibits, vehicles and incredible technologies never before seen in the United States.
"This world class event has so much to offer everyone from car enthusiasts to kids wanting to see their first concept vehicle. The event showcases cutting edge technologies mixed with interactive attractions and entertaining displays," said Robert Thibodeau, Jr., senior co-chair of the NAIAS 2007.
Amidst the excitement of the NAIAS 2007, the safety of attendees is, as always, taken seriously. Security will ask guests at random to open their bags and jackets to scan for any restricted items. Metal detectors and police dogs also are present as another security measure.
Public Days for NAIAS 2007 are Saturday, Jan. 13 through Saturday, Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 21 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. There is no admittance one hour prior to show closing.
Ticket prices for Public Days are $12 for adults; $6 for senior citizens (65 and older) and children aged 7-12 (must be purchased onsite). Children 6 and under are free with their parent and every child in a school group must have a ticket to enter the show.
To help alleviate delays at on-site ticket booths, eTickets are available for convenient, online purchase at www.naias.com. Orders for eTickets provide a voucher to be redeemed for show tickets at the eTicket window, located at the Oakland entrance of Cobo Center. Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling (248) 645-6666.
Click and Park is an online parking system that allows show attendees the convenience of purchasing a parking space in select lots near the NAIAS up to 24 hours prior to attending. Parking spaces can be purchased through www.ClickandPark.com.
The new shuttle services will be available to NAIAS Public Day attendees at the Detroit Zoo, Greenfield Village, Greektown and Joe Louis Arena. Guests can park at the Detroit Zoo and Greenfield Village for $5 (parking at the Greenfield Village is free for Henry Ford members) and take a shuttle bus for $4 per person round trip directly to Cobo Center. The shuttle service will be available at these locations on Jan. 13-15, 20 and 21.
A map with more information on parking locations will be available in local newspapers the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News.
The following is a list of exciting and unique activities at the NAIAS 2007:
Michigan Hall:
College for Creative Studies:
* Students from the College for Creative Studies will be onsite sketching
on a computer and are available to answer questions about automotive
design
* Car models done by students will be on display
State Farm:
* Visitors to the State Farm booth will be eligible to win an I-Pod
shuffle, key chains and road atlases
* Racing pods will be available for anyone to play featuring
PlayStation(R) games
* Anyone over 18 years old may compete for the fastest time of the day in
the real-life NASCAR simulator
* Free pictures will be taken with different vehicles in the background.
The pictures may be redeemed online
XM:
* For the first time this year, XM Satellite Radio subscribers will be
able to buy hardware for their radio onsite
* "XM Experience" will be offered in a "pod" where visitors may play a
trivia game and listen to live XM radio
Subaru:
* Exhibit features Grand Turismo game in an interactive driving simulator
To play, players are asked to donate a dollar to benefit the Rainbow
Connection
Michelin:
* Come down and get a picture with the big Michelin Man
Scion:
* Hat giveaways for signing the internet mailing list
* DJs will be on hand spinning the latesttunes everyday
LeMay America's Car Museum:
* Come and check out the different historical cars on display - some
include: 1912 Standard Electric Roadster and 1936 Cadillac Series 36-80
V-12
Denso:
* New technology monitors the eyes, if eyes are closed too long a blast of
cool air will give the wake-up call
ChangFeng:
* Check out the Chinese automaker, Changfeng, in their fist appearance
outside of China.
Main Floor:
Mercedes Benz:
* Be careful of the real ice rink at the Mercedes Benz display; check out
the giant ice walls at the exhibit.
Volkswagen:
* Check out the stock cars, play with the slot cars or be a star with
Caraoke, an in car karaoke system
Scion:
* Design and personalize a Scion, e-mail it home and print it out
* Keychain giveaways
Mini:
* I-Pod listening stations and DJs around the clock
* Play the touch screen table top games
* E-mail photos to yourself to share with friends
* Access the web to order accessories
General Motors:
* Aura box interactive story
* View a video on the Chevrolet Volt technology
* Check out On-Star turn-by-turn
NAIAS Food Court:
* Enjoy a snack or a meal while listening to music at the food court in
Cobo Arena
100th Anniversary
In 2007, the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) will celebrate the centennial of its successful association with the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). Since its inception in 1907, the show has grown from a regional event featuring 17 exhibitors to an internationally-sanctioned show with over 90 exhibitors, adding more than $500 million to the metro Detroit region last year alone. With the support of Detroit area auto dealers the NAIAS features more new vehicle debuts and garners more media coverage than any show in North America.
NAIAS 2007 Official Dates
Public Days are Saturday, Jan. 13, through Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007.
The North American International Auto Show
Rod Alberts - Executive Director Entering its 19th 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 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. The NAIAS Web site can be accessed at http://www.naias.com. The drive, design and desire for cars is here in Detroit!
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