Detroit, Mich., Jan. 22, 2012 - 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.

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 chairman (and incoming chairman 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
• 22,788 auto suppliers, designers, engineers, and enthusiasts, attended Industry Preview 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)

NAIAS 2013 Dates:
Press Preview:       Monday, January 14, and Tuesday, January 15
Industry Preview:    Wednesday, January 16, and Thursday, January 17
Charity Preview:      Friday, January 18
Public Show:          Saturday, January 19 through Sunday, January 27

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
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.

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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