North American International Auto Show's Sold-Out 2004 Charity Preview Raises $7 Million for 11 Local Children's Charities

DETROIT, Jan. 10 -- The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) today announced that the NAIAS 2004 Charity Preview, held Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, raised more than $7 million for 11 local children's charities.

Attendees of the annual black-tie fundraiser sipped champagne and got a sneak peak at more than 700 featured vehicles as they celebrated the show's annual kick-off event.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony included Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and top officials from major automakers. Michigan's own "Bachelor" Bob Guiney also was in attendance. Seventeen-year-old West Bloomfield, Mich., resident Natalie Cochran sang the national anthem.

Since the inception of the Charity Preview in 1976, the event has raised more than $51 million for children's charities -- more than half of that in the past four years alone. The charities benefiting from the 2004 Charity Preview are: Barat Child and Family Services; Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan; Boys Hope-Girls Hope of Detroit; The Children's Center; Children's Homes of Judson Center; Children's Services of Northeast Guidance Center Assistance League; The Detroit Institute for Children; Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL); Easter Seal Society of Southeastern Michigan, Inc.; March of Dimes; and the DADA Charitable Foundation Fund of the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan.

Public Days for NAIAS 2004 are open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, January 10, through Sunday, January 18. On Monday, January 19, the show is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. No admittance one hour in advance of closing each day.

About the North American International Auto Show

Now entering its 16th year as an international event, the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) is considered among the most prestigious auto shows in the world and is one of the largest media events in North America. The NAIAS is the only auto show in the United States to earn the distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, the Paris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world. The NAIAS Web site can be accessed at www.naias.com .