DETROIT, Jan. 22, 2011 - Friday's attendance at the 2011 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo Center in Detroit, Mich., broke the attendance record set back in 1993. Yesterday, more than 75,320 people attended the NAIAS, breaking 1993's Friday record of 74,900.  In 2010, the Friday attendance figure was 69,102.

Contributing factors included local ABC affiliate, WXYZ-TV Channel 7's "Family Fun Day," which featured musical performances, autograph opportunities with Channel 7 on-air talent, celebrity appearances and giveaways; a visit by the Detroit Tigers' Winter Fan Caravan; and a Detroit Economic Club luncheon featuring the Metro Detroit area's "Big Four" leaders, Mayor Dave Bing, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano and Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson.

"The NAIAS is always about exceeding expectation but Friday's figure for 2011 exceeded our own," said Barron Meade, 2011 NAIAS Chairman. "Breaking a long-standing attendance record after a couple of weeks of glowing global headlines, a successful Charity Preview that surpassed our goals, and 55 new products revealed counts as a pretty amazing set of accomplishments for NAIAS, its fans, its exhibitors and our automotive industry."

The 2011 NAIAS enters its final weekend for the general public today, tracking toward final attendance between 725,000 and 740,000 visitors. In 2010, NAIAS saw attendance increase by nearly 65,000 over 2009 to be approximately 715,000.  The media preview portion a week prior on Jan. 10 and 11 drew nearly 5,500 journalists from approximately 60 countries to see 55 brand new products revealed. Of the 55 reveals, 35 were world-wide debuts having never been seen elsewhere on the global auto show circuit.

About the North American International Auto Show
Rod Alberts, Executive Director
Entering its 23^rd 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.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for highlights and updates!

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