PHASE II: NAIAS EcoXperience 2010 (Was it only a year ago, seems like a lifetime?) (Don't Miss our 20120 Program!)

The MEDC's ecoXperience Earth-friendly car ride-and-drive will return to the North American International Auto Show Posted: Tuesday, 22 December 2009 5:48PM All-New 'Electric Avenue,' Lots Of Debuts Coming For NAIAS

The North American International Auto Show will open its doors in less than 30 days with, with the Jan. 11 press days kicking off with an anticipated 30 worldwide, and 10 North American product unveilings. "As we prepare to open the doors to the 2010 NAIAS, we are ready for the thousands of domestic and international media to walk through Cobo Center in search of the latest product information from the heart of the automotive industry," said Doug Fox, chairman, 2010 NAIAS. "The addition of Electric Avenue, combined with the returning MEDC EcoXperience, and the nearly 40 debuts to date, means that this show will be unlike any other in its offerings to the media, public and industry." The public and media will be treated to a number of world debuts of highly anticipated vehicles from exhibitors such as Ford, Chevrolet, BMW, Audi and Volvo to name a few. The all-new Electric Avenue area presented by The Dow Chemical Company will showcase highly anticipated vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi MiEV, Commuter Cars Tango 600 and the SABA "Carbon Zero" Roadster. The annual Charity Preview gala event is once again scheduled for the Friday prior to public days, Jan. 15 from 6 to 9 p.m. The annual event benefits local charities and has raised more than $79 million since its inception in 1976, over $35 million of which was raised in the last six years alone. The money raised by ticket sales provides medical treatment, clothing and support services for local kids. Tickets for Charity Preview are currently available and can be purchased by calling (888) 838-7500, or by visiting www.charitypreview.com. The main show floor will feature Electric Avenue, a 37,000 square-foot area presented by The Dow Chemical Co., and dedicated to showcasing the latest in electric vehicles and technology by both traditional automakers and innovative entrepreneurs. The all-new exhibit area will feature nearly 20 vehicles, as well as symposiums and special events on the adjacent NAIAS stage. The Michigan Economic Development Corp. has returned with the EcoXperience, which will once again be featured in Michigan Hall. Offering a quarter-mile track through a Michigan-designed landscape, journalists will be able to drive low emission vehicles indoors, while the public can experience the same track by taking rides during public days. The display will feature more than 200 evergreen and deciduous trees; over 600 evergreen and flowering shrubs; over 5,000 flowering tulips, daffodils and hyacinths; approximately 650,000 pounds of stone and over 130,000 gallons of water flowing through two water features, both with waterfalls. Entering its 22nd year as an international event, the NAIAS is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world, providing unparalleled access to the automotive products, people and ideas that matter most -- up close and in one place. One of the largest media events in North America, the NAIAS is 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. The NAIAS Web site can be accessed atwww.naias.com. The show's press preview will take place Jan. 11 and 12, followed by the industry preview Jan. 13 and 14. The public show runs Saturday, Jan. 16 through Sunday, Jan. 24. NAIAS 2009 MMSTC "GREEN TEAM" http://mmstc.blogspot.com/2009/01/naias-mmstc-ecoexperience-booth-1-18.html http://mmstc.blogspot.com/2009/01/what-team_11.html http://mmstc.blogspot.com/2009/01/naisa-2009-ecoexperience-closing-days.html