2008 North American International Auto Show Offers Travel Tips to Canadian Visitors

DETROIT, Jan. 10, 2008; Once again the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo Center in Detroit will welcome Canadian visitors to its Public Show Jan. 19, 2008 - 27, to enjoy world-class exhibits, dazzling production and concept vehicles, exciting celebrity guests along with several fun, family-friendly attractions.

"We're very proud that each year our Canadian neighbors visit our show by the thousands to experience the fun and excitement of the NAIAS," said NAIAS 2008 senior co-chairman Carl Galeana. "To make it more convenient for these visitors, we've created a list of tips and information that we hope will simplify the process of traveling to and from the auto show."

All Canadian visitors should have a current and valid passport or two forms of identification that may include a driver's license or birth certificate. For those driving across the border, each passenger in the vehicle must provide individual documentation to be allowed to cross the border. Visitors planning to bring a child across the border without a legal parent or guardian should have a letter authorizing permission to transport the child across the border with signatures from both parents. In addition, any food items need to be declared. Visitors planning to fly into Detroit Metro Airport must provide a valid passport to enter the country. For questions about specific items, call the US Customs for the Ambassador Bridge at 313-393-3942 and for the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel at 313-226-3161; and Canadian Customs can be reached at 519-257-6473.

"With such a dynamic international audience, it is good to know that the great citizens of Canada can be part of such a fantastic show," said Eddie Francis, Mayor of Windsor. "I am eager to visit the 2008 auto show and see all the exciting production and concept vehicles on display from around the world."

Canadian prices for NAIAS 2008 tickets are $12 CAN for adults, $6 CAN for senior citizens and $6 CAN for children 7 - 12. Children six years of age and younger are free when accompanied by a parent. For convenience, visitors can now purchase tickets online at www.naias.com or at kiosks located in the main concourse at Cobo Center on each public day.

Information about traffic conditions at the Ambassador Bridge can be viewed at www.ambassadorbridge.com. Traffic information regarding the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel can be viewed at www.dwtunnel.com; and for questions concerning the Blue Water Bridge, visit www.bwba.org.

There are several transportation options when traveling back and forth between Canada and Michigan:

-- Downtown Windsor, Ontario (the Canadian border city to Detroit), in partnership with Transit Windsor, offers a Park and Ride program to the NAIAS. The Auto Show Express will operate daily during the Public Show from the Transit Terminal located at Dougall Avenue and Chatham Street. The Auto Show Express is $19 (CAN) and includes roundtrip bus transportation to the NAIAS, adult admission to the show, and $10 (CAN) in coupons good for Downtown Windsor participating restaurants. Call 519-944-4111 for more information.

-- The Ambassador Bridge offers multiple lanes of traffic flow over the Detroit River. Trips across the bridge cost $4 CAN one-way, per vehicle, including motorcycles. The return trip to Canada costs $4.75 CAN and $3.75 US.

-- The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel is an underground passage beneath the Detroit River. Trips through the tunnel from Canada cost $3.75 (CAN or US) per vehicle. The return trip to Canada costs $4.75 CAN and $3.75 US. Motorcycles are prohibited in the tunnel.

-- Approximately one hour north of Detroit, the Blue Water Bridge costs $2.75 CAN per vehicle. The return trip to Canada costs $2.75 CAN and $1.50 US.

-- For media attending Press Preview and staying in Windsor, there will be roundtrip shuttle service from Windsor on Sunday, Jan. 13 - Tuesday, Jan. 15. The shuttle will depart from the newly renovated Ramada Plaza and the Radisson Riverfront Hotels located in downtown Windsor. The shuttles will begin picking up passengers at the Ramada at 6 a.m. followed by a stop at the Radisson at 6:05 a.m. Shuttles will depart hourly thereafter until noon (the last bus to Cobo Center).

-- Shuttles will begin departing from Cobo Center for Windsor at 2 p.m. and will depart every two hours until 8 p.m. (the last shuttle bus to Windsor). On Tuesday, Jan. 15, the last shuttle bus to Windsor will depart at 4 p.m.

The Radisson Riverfront and Ramada Plaza Hotels will offer special rates from Jan. 18 - 27. For additional lodging information for the Radisson Riverfront, call 519-977-9777 or for the Ramada Plaza Hotel, call 519-256- 4656.

As an added convenience, NAIAS 2008 will once again institute the Click and Park online program. Click and Park's online reservation tool enables customers to reserve their parking space up to 24 hours in advance at select lots in downtown Detroit in the vicinity of Cobo Center. A customized set of directions are provided to the customer on how to best navigate travel to the event. Customers can order their parking spot online at www.clickandpark.com, by calling 1-866-330-PARK or visit info@clickandpark.com.

With a stop located on the third floor of Cobo Center, the Detroit People Mover is another convenient way to get to Cobo Center during NAIAS Public Days. The Detroit People Mover has 13 stops located throughout downtown Detroit, several of which are located within walking distance of parking lots. For a list of locations and times, visit www.thepeoplemover.com.

NAIAS 2008 Official Dates

Press Preview will be held Sunday, Jan. 13 through Tuesday, Jan. 15. Industry Preview will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 16 and Thursday, Jan. 17. The annual black-tie Charity Preview will be held Friday evening, Jan. 18. Public Days will be held Saturday, Jan. 19 through Sunday, Jan. 27. Automotive Education Day will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 23. Racing Day will be held on Friday, Jan. 25.

The North American International Auto Show

Rod Alberts - Executive Director Entering its 20th 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 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 at http://www.naias.com/. Don't Miss It for the World!