North American International Auto Show - January 12-25th, 2015

Show History

Detroit has hosted an auto show for over a century. For the first several decades of its existence, however, the show's focus was strictly regional. Then, in 1987, a visionary group of auto dealers within the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) asked a bold question: Why not make the event truly international in scope? Achieving this objective within only a few years' time, the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) pursues a vision of continually redefining what it means to be an indispensable international event. To achieve this goal, the NAIAS continually introduces bold new ways to enhance attendees' experiences and deliver exceptional value to media, industry and the public.

Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of NAIAS

Since 1907, over a century ago, with the exception of the World War II years, Detroit has hosted an auto show: the Detroit Auto Show. Until 1989, the show’s focus was strictly regional. In planning the 1989 show, an innovative and visionary group of auto dealers within the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) sought to make the event more international in scope – truly a world-class event. They traveled to Japan and Europe to encourage automakers there to bring their new brands and new-vehicle introductions to the newly-named North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), and the automakers did just that, leading to the growth and success of the NAIAS. Thanks to the vision and fortitude of the 1989 organizing committee, and the efforts of Detroit area auto dealers who’ve since served on the organizing committee, the NAIAS has continued to grow and has earned a top spot among auto shows around the world.

Since 1989:

• Photo galleries for each year are linked below, or you can visit the Photo Tour to check out even more.

• 1,359 vehicles have been introduced.

• More than 18 million people have attended the show.

• The number of NAIAS exhibitors has grown to 216.

• More than 124,000 media have been credentialed to cover the NAIAS.

• More than $90 million has been raised and provided to Detroit-area charities through the annual Charity Preview, $47 million of which has been raised in the past 10 years alone. In fact, thanks to the generosity of those affiliated with the auto industry, the NAIAS Charity Preview is the largest single night fundraiser in the world.

• More than 125 charities have received donations from Charity Preview; 116 of which received donations from the DADA Charitable Foundation Fund, a fund of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.

• For the past 25 years, the total economic impact of NAIAS on the Southeastern Michigan region is estimated at $9.7-$10.1 billion.

Thank you to the Michigan Legislature for commemorating the 25th Anniversary and declaring January 2014 as North American International Auto Show Month in the State of Michigan