With over 700 vehicles being displayed on more than one million square feet, the 16th annual North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) opened its doors....

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Cobo Center, Detroit, MI
Jan. 4, 2004

North American International Auto Show

With over 700 vehicles being displayed on more than one million square feet, the 16th annual North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) opened its doors. From all over the world, they travel to Detroit for the chance to see this exceptional showing of new and concept automobiles.

The NAIAS is responsible for over bringing over a half billion dollars to South East Michigan. This economic boost is not only felt by the automotive industry but by companies all over the area. From caterers to printers -- almost every business benefits during this time.

Forty international automotive manufacturers started assembling their massive and elaborate displays over ten weeks ago. One of the most impressive displays, Mini, featured a live D.J. and Mini Cooper S themed pinball machines. Jeep vertically mounted a Wrangler onto a 40-foot wall. Hummer spent over $250,000 just on over four hundred pieces of concrete flooring.

This show, the largest of its kind in the world, is the site for 716 vehicle debuts. Additionally, 58 more new automobiles, 40 production and 18 concept cars will be featured. The concept debuts include two Subaru hybrids, and what Honda swore they would never produce - a truck.

Unlike past new vehicles, which seemed to be geared towards entertainment with built in DVD players and gaming systems, automobile manufacturers are noticing the growing popularity of high performance cars. Saturn, Dodge, Ford and Volkswagen all displayed high performance modifications to some of their already existing models.

NAIAS 2004 Official Dates
Cobo Center in Detroit will host the NAIAS 2004 starting on Sunday, Jan. 4 with the first of three official Press Days that run through Tuesday, Jan. 6.

NAIAS Industry Preview Days will be held Wednesday, Jan. 7 and Thursday, Jan. 8.

The 2004 show will open to the public on Saturday, Jan. 10, and run through Monday, Jan. 19, 2004 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day).