auto show

The North American International Auto Show (previously called the Detroit Auto Show and often abbreviated NAIAS) is an annual automobile show (or auto show) that occurs every year in Detroit, Michigan. The first auto show occurred in Detroit in 1907 at Beller's Beer Garden at Riverside Park and has been held every year except 1943-1952. It was renamed the North American International Auto Show in 1989. Since 1965, it has been held at Cobo Center where it occupies 1 million square feet (93,000 m²) of floor space. The show is particularly important because Detroit is the location of the headquarters of the Big Three American automakers, Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors.

The show begins with press preview days, industry preview days and a charity preview event. Features news regarding the cars and trucks unveiled at the show and schedules for the annual event. The charity preview raises money for local children's charities. In 2004 and 2005, the charity preview attracted 17,500 people at $400 a ticket and raised $7 million in total. 2006 was the sixth consecutive year the charity preview event raised over $6 million. 35,711 tickets were sold for the industry preview representing people from 24 countries in 2005 and 6,897 credentialed press from 63 countries. Over 800,000 attended during the days the show was open to the general public in 2004. It is estimated that the show provides over $500 million to the local economy.