The 2014 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) came to a close Sunday after an astounding two week celebration of vehicle unveilings, new technology, and the public show itself, which celebrated its 25th anniversary as an international event.
Sunday’s gate of 102,153 brings total ticketed attendance of the 2014 show to 803,451. The last time the show broke 800,000 was in 2003 when it reached 838,066.
NAIAS Chairman Bob Shuman said “everything came together” for this special edition of the auto show.
“We’ve come a long way in 25 years since the ‘Detroit Auto Show’ became the North American International Auto Show,” said Shuman.
“It was a privilege this week to see some of the members of the 1988 auto show committee, like David Fischer, Ken Meade and Gordon Stewart, who developed the plan that turned our show into one of the top in the world.”
Shuman said that industry confidence shined brightly in Detroit, and for good reason.
“This was a special show, and everyone knew it,” said Shuman. “The industry is healthy, the products and technology are spectacular, and confidence is high. It would be difficult to find a more exciting or more important two weeks than what we just experienced in the auto industry here on Detroit’s world stage.”
NAIAS 2014 Highlights:
Press Preview: 5,169 journalists from 60 countries and 39 states watched as 50 vehicles were unveiled (the majority being worldwide introductions)
Industry Preview: 34,040 suppliers, designers, engineers, etc., attended from 28 countries.
Charity Preview: 13,826 people helped raise $4.8 million for children’s charities; singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow performed in the new Cobo Atrium; and “Studio 25,” the first-ever Charity Preview afterglow, was held in the Cobo Center’s new Grand Riverview Ballroom. The event, which featured popular cover band Fifty Amp Fuse, required a separate ticket, and was a sellout at 2,250 tickets.
Total Ticketed Attendance: 803,451 (incl. Industry Preview, Charity Preview & Public Show)
