Business View - February 2016 13
“Being Chairman for the 2016 NAIAS and being part
of a team that produces one of the most influential
and powerful auto shows in the world is truly some-
thing special,” said Paul Sabatini, 2016 NAIAS Chair-
man. “I’ll never forget having the honor to escort
President Obama around the auto show floor and
have him witness all the vehicles and technologies
that made their world debuts just days prior and will
undoubtedly shape the future of our industry.”
NAIAS Executive Director, Rod Alberts, reported
5,068 journalists from 60 countries attended the
two-day press preview that has become synony-
mous with attracting the world’s top automotive
leaders. Attending media saw 61 vehicle introduc-
tions with nearly 90 percent of them being world-
wide reveals.
Media and auto show attendees alike saw a show
floor that was completely redesigned this year.
More than 70 percent of the displays are newly de-
signed, representing about a $200 million invest-
ment on the part of exhibiting automakers, suppliers
and partners.
“It’s very rewarding to have the strong commit-
ment and partnership from the top automakers to
bring their best to Detroit, and journalists respond
to these significant brand announcements by gener-
ating international news and social buzz felt around
the world,” said Alberts.
Sabatini added, “As the automotive industry contin-
ues to evolve, NAIAS continues to explore new part-
nership opportunities that will maintain our global
leadership position and keep Detroit as the mobility
epicenter of the world.”
2016 NAIAS has an estimated economic impact of
$430 million to the regional economy (up $30 million
from the previous year). “The auto show is some-
thing everyone in this region should be extremely
proud of,” added Sabatini. “The $430 million in eco-
nomic impact is nearly equivalent to having two Su-
per Bowls in Detroit every year, a truly astounding
figure when you stop and think about it.”
