The 2015 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) finished strong last sunday evening after a brilliant two week celebration of the world’s love affair with the automobile.
The entrance gate of 102,928 brings total ticketed attendance to 808,775, edging out last year’s total of 803,451.
2015 NAIAS Chairman Scott LaRiche said closing day is always bittersweet. “It’s been an overwhelming experience to be associated with the world’s greatest auto show for the last six years,” said an inspired LaRiche. “It was a fantastic run and I’m so proud to be part of such a great team. It’s definitely a bittersweet day.”
The show is a reflection of the auto industry, and the auto industry is back, added LaRiche.
“For two weeks, we’ve seen the confidence and felt the commitment that auto manufacturers have placed in our show, and in our city,” he said. “They unveiled unbelievable products in dramatic fashion; they built beautiful new, interactive displays; and dozens of amazing digital screens created a sensory extravaganza. And for the last eight days, during the public show, people have smiled from ear-to-ear from the moment they arrived. Now that’s confidence.”
NAIAS Executive Director Rod Alberts said the show continues to play a major role in automakers’ global product launch strategies.
“We continue to work hard to maintain the confidence, trust and partnerships with the global automakers,” said Alberts. “We support the promise of the original NAIAS organizing committee which, 26 years ago, said: ‘you bring the cars; we’ll bring the media.’ I think it’s safe to say, we kept our promise.”
