2005 North American International Auto Show Final Weekend Packed With Entertainment & Attractions

Celebrity Appearances Scheduled for Rappers, Rev. Joseph "Run" Simmons of Run D.M.C. and Coolio

DETROIT, Jan. 21 -- The 2005 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) will wrap up another exciting year with a weekend of family- friendly entertainment, celebrity appearances and attractions, Saturday, Jan. 22 and Sunday, Jan. 23.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041025/NAIASLOGO )

In addition, NBC Sports will host an all-star, live two-hour special from COBO Center on Sunday from 1-3 p.m. with NASCAR celebrity hosts, Benny Parsons, Allen Bestwick and Wally Dallenbach. The NASCAR team will offer vehicle perspectives and test-drives of some of the world's finest automobiles.

Attendees to this weekend's NAIAS will also be able to hop a convenient free shuttle that loops between COBO Center and Winter Blast located in Campus Martius.

  The following is a list of fun things to see and do inside COBO Center:

  Chevrolet
  *  ZO6 downloadable cell phone features
     *  Visitors with video-enabled cell phones will be able to download
        custom Corvette ring tones, interviews and other video at
        Chevrolet's Corvette display area

  DUB Magazine Exhibit
  *  DUB Magazine will be displaying the following customized cars and
     trucks in Michigan Hall:
     *  Chicago rapper Twista's 2005 DUB-edition Chrysler 300C
     *  R&B duo Nina Sky's 2005 DUB-edition Chrysler Crossfire roadster
     *  Pepsi, Co.'s 2005 DUB-edition Dodge Magnum
  *  Celebrity appearances:
     *  Saturday:
        *  Rev. Joseph (Run) Simmons of the famous rap trio, Run D.M.C.
        *  Lindsey Hunter of the Detroit Pistons and his 2003 HUMMER H2,
           featuring 28-inch wheels
        *  Maurice Taylor of the Houston Rockets and his 1972 Chevrolet
           Monte Carlo
     *  Sunday:
        *  Rapper, Coolio

  Ford
  *  SYNus Concept Car
     *  Features 45-inch flat screen monitor imbedded in rear tailgate
     *  Visitors can watch the monitor in the back seat, which turns 180
        degrees to face the screen

  Lincoln
  *  Orange County Choppers' customized Mark LT Chopper
     *  The chopper built by the cast of Discovery Channel's "American
        Chopper" will be on display at the Lincoln exhibit

  Mazda
  *  Grand Tourismo-4 driving simulator
     *  Interactive video game
     *  Features choice of cars, including the Mazda Crossport and a choice
        of virtual cities in which to race

  Mercury
  *  Reconfigurable dashboard display
     *  Features a kiosk where visitors can reconfigure and personalize the
        dashboard of Mercury vehicles
     *  Dashboard features include a navigation system, MP3 player and push-
        button transmission
  *  Lane Departure Warning safety feature simulator
     *  Visitors are able to experience the Lane Departure Warning safety
        feature, which sends vibrations through the driver's seat when the
        car drifts out of its lane

  Mini
  *  Mini-inspired pinball machines
  *  Interactive driving simulator that forces the "driver" to avoid
     obstacles, then offers an evaluation of the driver's performance
  *  Manual-transmission simulator allowing the "driver" to shift virtual
     gears
  *  Mini photo booth
     *  Allows visitors to pose inside a Mini, select the colors, background
        and passenger and take a customized photo

  Subaru
  *  Grand Tourismo-3 by Subaru - interactive racing video game
     *  Features a hydraulic chair that simulates the movements of a virtual
        race car

  Volkswagen
  *  Volkswagen Jetta driving simulator
  *  "VW's SchnellDriver"
     *  Similar to a game show, visitors will be asked questions and given
        prizes for correct answers

  Volvo
  *  V70 environmental display
     *  Modeled after a car in which every window is a video monitor, the
        display explains, both with audio and video, the benefits of low
        emissions, recycled interior material and other environmentally
        friendly features.

  COBO Arena Live Entertainment

  Saturday, Jan. 22
  11 a.m. - 4 p.m. - CGS ENT
  5 p.m. - 10 p.m. - Larry Nee

  Sunday, Jan. 23
  11 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Dal Bouey
  5 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Uprizin

Public Days for the NAIAS run through Sunday, Jan. 23. Show hours are 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. through Saturday and 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Sunday. There is no admittance one hour prior to show closing.

  Ticket prices for Public Days are as follows:
  Adult: $12 ($14 Canadian)

Senior Citizen (65 and older): $6 - tickets must be purchased on-site ($7.00 Canadian)

Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by a parent and do not require a ticket.

To help alleviate delays at on-site ticket booths, eTickets are available for convenient, online purchase at http://www.naias.com/ . Orders for eTickets provide a voucher to be redeemed for show tickets at the eTicket window, located at the Oakland Hall entrance of COBO Center.

Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.com/ , or by calling (248) 645-6666.

About the North American International Auto Show

Entering its 17th year as an international event, the North American International Auto Show is 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 http://www.naias.com/ .