DETROIT, Jan. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The North American
International Auto Show (NAIAS) today wrapped up two weeks of
welcoming brand-defining products, emerging mobility technologies,
top government officials – including then-Vice President
Joe Biden – and leading auto and
tech thinkers, in addition to greeting over 800,000 car enthusiasts
who came to see the exciting technology-laden products driving the
industry's transformation.
The show closed tonight with a strong finish of 98,125
attendees, bringing total ticketed attendance for 2017 NAIAS to
806,554.
"Detroit is the mobility
epicenter of the world, and there's no better example of this than
what we've seen and experienced at NAIAS over the past 16 days,"
said 2017 NAIAS Chairman Sam
Slaughter. "Visitors to the show were able to experience the
full spectrum of the auto industry – from autonomous vehicles and
technologies to current production models that will be in dealer
showrooms in the near future. It was an incredible showcase for our
industry; one that provided a look into the transformation of the
world's automotive industry."
NAIAS kicked off 2017 with its inaugural AutoMobili-D, a display
of 120 automakers, suppliers and startups from around the world
showcasing and discussing future mobility platforms, in addition to
40+ hours of mobility-themed content at symposiums and panel
discussions. Waymo CEO John Krafcik
opened AutoMobili-D with the world reveal of the autonomous
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Other notable keynotes included
Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of
Nissan Motor Co., and Julia Steyn,
GM's Vice President of Urban Mobility and Maven.
"AutoMobili-D was an incredible venue for the entire mobility
ecosystem, from newly formed startups to tech suppliers to
automakers. It allowed each brand an opportunity to communicate
directly with over 5,100 journalists and nearly 40,000 industry
decision makers," NAIAS Executive Director Rod Alberts said. "It was as much about
connecting businesses as it was about connecting technologies."
Alberts noted that NAIAS and its new AutoMobili-D attracted
5,101 journalists from 61 countries. Attending media saw 46
vehicles make their world debut, seven vehicles make their North
American debut and 17 special one-of-a-kind vehicles made their
first appearance at an auto show. Included in this mix was
world-renowned John Lasseter, Chief
Creative Officer of Pixar Animation Studios who revealed a
life-size, drivable version of the iconic Lightning McQueen as a
precursor to the 'Cars 3' movie.
"From the buzz and unveiling of autonomous drive products and
mobility technologies at AutoMobili-D to the news generated at
Press Preview, there's no denying that the auto industry is being
redefined here in the Motor City," Alberts said. "Having all of
these companies and their products and technologies being
accessible to everyone in one building is something that you don't
see elsewhere in the world and sets NAIAS apart from other
shows."
Following on the heels of AutoMobili-D and Press Preview, nearly
40,000 auto and tech industry executives, designers, developers and
analysts, from 2,274 companies, kept the product buzz and mobility
conversation going at Industry Preview. NAIAS is the only auto show
in North America with dedicated
"industry" days.
Detroit's celebration as the
epicenter of all things automotive, including the heart of the
automotive industry, kept on motoring at Charity Preview, where
nearly $5.2 million was raised for
children's charities in Detroit.
As the largest annual single-night fundraiser in the world,
Charity Preview has raised more than $111
million in total for southeastern Michigan children's charities, of which more
than $53 million was raised in last
12 years alone.
The conversation generated from Preview Week – including the
worldwide and North American vehicle debuts, executive keynotes and
showcase of future mobility innovations – continued to build
momentum as the show rolled into Public Show week drawing big
crowds that filled Cobo Center each day.
NAIAS officials report the 2017 show has an estimated economic
impact of $450 to the regional
economy (per economist David Sowerby
from Loomis Sayles & Co.), up
$20 million from the previous
year. Economists report the impact is equivalent to two
nearly Super Bowls every year in Detroit.
"From the hotels to the restaurants to businesses all across the
city, having NAIAS in January brings hundreds of thousands of
people into Detroit during what
would be a slow time of year," added Alberts.
2017 NAIAS Highlights:
The Gallery
- Over 500 people experienced an exclusive ultra-luxury salon of
more than $10 million worth of exotic
supercars and flagship vehicles, including a $3.4 million Bugatti Chiron.
AutoMobili-D
- Inaugural year for AutoMobili-D exposition.
- 120 exhibitors, including a global mix of automakers,
suppliers, tech startups from around the world, all showcasing and
discussing future mobility platforms.
- 44 startups from all over the world, including London, Dubai, Portugal and Canada.
- 40+ hours of mobility-themed content – topics ranging from
cybersecurity, regulations, autonomous technologies, V2V and V2I,
the role of startups, disruptors and ride sharing.
- 100 speakers from 110 different companies took the AutoMobili-D
stage.
- Keynotes from:
- John Krafcik, CEO of Waymo that
included the debut of the autonomous Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
- Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO
of Nissan Motor Co.
- Julia Steyn, GM's vice president
of urban mobility and Maven
- Dan Gilbert, Chairman and
Founder of Rock Ventures and Quicken Loans Inc.
- Chris Thomas, Founder and
Partner, Fontinalis
Press Preview
- 5,101 journalists from 61 different countries.
- 46 vehicles make their world debut, 7 make their North American
debut and 17 special one-of-a-kind vehicles made their first
appearance at an auto show.
Industry Preview
- Only show in North America
with dedicated "industry" days.
- Attracted nearly 40,000 auto and tech industry executives,
designers, developers and analysts from 2,274 companies and 27
countries.
Charity Preview
- Nearly 13,000 people attended the world's largest single-night
fundraiser, generating nearly $5.2
million for children's charities in Detroit.
- More than $111 million raised
since 1976 when the Detroit Auto Dealers Association established
Charity Preview, with over $53
million raised in last twelve years.
- Special performance by Beach Boys on Cobo Center's Atrium
stage.
Total Ticketed Attendance
Economic Impact
- Estimated economic impact of $450
to the regional economy (per economist David Sowerby from Loomis Sayles & Co.), up $20 million from the previous year.
- Equivalent to nearly two Super Bowls every year in Detroit.
About the North American International Auto Show
Now in its 29th year as an international event, the NAIAS is among
the most prestigious auto shows in the world, providing
unparalleled access to the automotive products, technologies,
people and ideas that matter most – up close and in one place.
Administered by executive director Rod Alberts, the NAIAS is
one of the largest media events in North America, and 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. For more information, visit naias.com.
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highlights and updates.
2017 NAIAS Dates:
The Gallery – Saturday, January 7, 2017
AutoMobili-D – Sunday-Thursday, January
8-12, 2017
Press Preview – Monday-Tuesday, January 9-10, 2017
Industry Preview – Wednesday-Thursday, January 11-12, 2017
Charity Preview – Friday, January 13, 2017
Public Show – Saturday-Sunday, January 14-22, 2017
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2017-naias-underscores-motor-citys-position-as-global-mobility-epicenter-300394528.html
SOURCE North American International Auto Show