2007 North American International Auto Show Planning Accelerates - Video Available

2007 North American International Auto Show Planning Accelerates - Video Available

Premier Automotive Showcase Celebrates 100 Years of DADA Partnership; Welcomes Returning Media Partners NBC Sports, WDIV-TV Local 4 & MSN Autos

DETROIT, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- In less than three months, the 2007 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), one of the world's most influential automotive events, will open its doors to the media on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007 at Cobo Center. In addition to celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first DADA sponsored show and the 19th international show, the NAIAS is expected to feature world-class vehicle unveilings, unprecedented media coverage and one- of-a-kind exhibits from the industry's top automakers.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060728/NAIASLOGO )

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/naias/25878/

"NAIAS 2007 is guaranteed to be a very special year. As the 100th anniversary of the first DADA sponsored auto show, we are planning another blockbuster year with special attractions for auto enthusiasts across the globe," said Robert Thibodeau Jr., NAIAS 2007 senior co-chairman. "In addition, we are pleased to welcome back our NAIAS partners at NBC Sports, WDIV-TV Local 4 and MSN Autos. These exclusive alliances are key assets that help bring our show to the world."

For the third consecutive year, NBC will broadcast the "International Auto Show." NBC's Bill Weber, Benny Parsons and Marty Snider will return to host NBC's coverage of the NAIAS 2007. The NBC Sports special will feature the hottest cars unveiled at NAIAS 2007.

"The NAIAS was once again a great success for NBC Sports last year," said Jon Miller, senior vice president of sports programming, NBC Sports. "We're delighted to partner with them for their 100th anniversary celebration and expect it to be another terrific broadcast."

WDIV-TV Local 4, a leading broadcaster for over 60 years in metro Detroit, is the proud local broadcast partner of the NAIAS for viewers in southeast Michigan. For the third consecutive year, Local 4 is the exclusive network for the Charity Preview on Friday, Jan. 12, 2007 and will showcase 2 hours of live coverage during the event.

"WDIV-TV Local 4 is privileged to be a part of the NAIAS and especially honored to be the exclusive broadcaster of the Charity Preview," said Steve Wasserman, vice president and general manager of WDIV-TV Local 4. "We also will air extensive coverage and programming of NAIAS 2007 in all time slots, with plans of featuring multiple auto show specials to our viewers."

NAIAS 2007 also welcomes back MSN Autos to provide extensive official coverage of the show online from November 2006 to March 2007. MSN Autos brings together the best technology and rich content for researching, buying, owning, and selling cars.

"For a decade, MSN has had the opportunity to sponsor the NAIAS, and we continue to be amazed at the design and detail this show provides," said Scott Ehlers, general manager of MSN Autos. "Our relationship with the NAIAS team allows us to deliver up-to-the-minute coverage online and information on the latest car models to car enthusiasts on MSN Autos."

NAIAS 2006 featured 70 vehicle unveilings as well as nearly 7,000 journalists from 62 countries and 42 U.S. states including 279 TV networks. Overall, more than 750,000 people attended the show during Public Days and the NAIAS 2006 added more than $580 million to southeast Michigan's economy.

"The NAIAS has enjoyed extraordinary success in its 19 years as an international event," said Carl Galeana, NAIAS 2007 co-chairman. "Outside of the industry news and unique trends that are made public at the show, the wildly successful Charity Preview gala, the region's most anticipated fundraiser, celebrates its 31st anniversary this year and is expected to attract more than 17,000 people and raise more than $7 million for Detroit's children's charities."

The NAIAS encourages the public to call 888-838-7500 to inquire about the availability of tickets for the 2007 Charity Preview black-tie event scheduled on Friday, Jan. 12, 2007.

In addition, media credentialing for NAIAS 2007 has begun. Media who have previously attended the show will receive a media-credential package in the mail. Those who wish to apply for a credential can visit http://www.naias.com/ to experience sights and sounds from last year's show and to download a media credential application from the NAIAS Web site.

The second annual EyesOn Design awards, which recognizes the unique vehicle designs on display at the NAIAS, will take place at Cobo Center on Tues., Jan. 9, 2007 to complement the already powerful list of Press Days' design initiatives.

John Bailey & Associates, Inc. (JB&A) Public Relations, headquartered in Troy, Mich., and NAIAS agency-of-record, will provide public relations and media relations support to local, national and international media covering the NAIAS. Contact JB&A by calling 248-362-4200. All general media inquiries can be directed to naias-media@baileypr.com.

For those returning to Detroit for NAIAS 2007, changes have been made to the travel arrangements process. For hotel reservations and directions to the show visit the NAIAS Web site at http://www.naias.com/ and click on the Travel & Directions tab located on the top of the site. This link provides a list of travel accommodations including local hotels within walking distance to the NAIAS 2007, air travel and international travel. The link also gives directions from major freeways to Cobo Center.

Due to the high demand for hotel rooms during the NAIAS, reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. So book your hotel now!

NAIAS 2007 Official Dates

Press Preview Days will be held Sunday, Jan. 7, through Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007. Industry Preview Days will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 10 and Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007. The Charity Preview will be held Friday evening, Jan. 12, 2007. Public Days are Saturday, Jan. 13, through Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007.

100th Anniversary

In 2007, The Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) will celebrate 100 years of sponsorship of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS)/Detroit Auto Show. 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 nearly $600 million to the metro Detroit region last year alone. With the support of the DADA, the NAIAS features more new vehicle debuts and garners more media coverage than any other automotive event in North America.

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/. Don't Miss It for the World!

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Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060728/NAIASLOGO
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.comVideo: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/naias/25878
Source: North American International Auto Show

CONTACT: Elizabeth Weigandt Twork of John Bailey & Associates,
+1-248-362-4200 x244, Email: etwork@baileypr.com , for North American
International Auto Show

Web site: http://www.naias.com/

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