DETROIT, Mich., Jan. 8, 2012 - The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2012 will host a number of national and state elected government officials, including four members of President Barack Obama's Cabinet, beginning tomorrow and throughout the show.

"The North American International Auto Show provides a world stage for the automotive industry and, this week, will generate an enormous level of excitement from the more than 40 new-vehicle introductions and overall positive industry news," said Bill Perkins, chairman, NAIAS 2012. 

"Using the backdrop of the world's most exciting vehicles and displays, the NAIAS has become the venue for executives representing the global automotive industry and our elected officials to interact and network.  We're pleased to welcome those that shape this industry and our country's policies to the Motor City."

Government Officials scheduled to visit NAIAS 2012 include:
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown
U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary John Bryson
U.S. Senator Tom Carper
U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu
U.S. Representative Hansen Clark
U.S. Representative John Conyers
U.S. Representative John Dingell
Council on Environmental Equality Administrator Gary Guzy
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood
U.S. Senator Carl Levin
U.S. Representative Sander Levin
U.S. Representative Gary Peters
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow
NHTSA Administrator David L. Strickland
U.S. Representative Tim Walberg

State Governors:
Governor Rick Snyder (MI)
Governor Steve Beshear (KY)
Governor Jay Nixon (MO)
Governor John Kasich (OH)

For information on the representatives list contact: DOE: Damien LaVera, Damien.LaVera@hq.doe.gov; EPA: Alisha Johnson, johnson.alisha@epa.gov, 202-579-5538; DOT: Justin Nisly, justin.nisly@dot.gov; Congressman John Dingell: Katie.Murtha@mail.house.gov.

Governors contact information: Governor Rick Snyder (MI), Allison Scott, 517-241-5022; Governor Steve Beshear (KY), Elizabeth Roach, 502-564-2611; Governor Jay Nixon (MO), Brent Bayer, 573-751-3222; Governor John Kasich (OH), Nate Green, 740-497-1893.

NAIAS Sponsors
The NAIAS would like to thank its premier sponsors: Delta Air Lines, DENSO, Johnson Controls, KPMG, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michelin, ZF Group, as well as its official sponsors: AutoTrader.com, ion Television, MSN Autos, Panasonic Automotive, and Schaeffler. Charter One, part of the RBS group, is the Presenting Sponsor of Charity Preview.

About the North American International Auto Show
Entering 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.

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Press Preview - Monday-Tuesday, January 9-10, 2012
Industry Preview - Wednesday-Thursday, January 11-12, 2012
Charity Preview - Friday, January 13, 2012
Public Show - Saturday-Sunday, January 14-22, 2012