Lots of People: 2011 New York Auto Show Ends on a High-Note

NEW YORK--May 9, 2011:

• 1 million+ visitors, projected 1.5% increase in attendance
• 61 world and North American vehicle introductions
• Unprecedented media attendance and coverage
• All-new North Hall exhibit space attracts huge crowds
• 12 U.S. auto industry leaders present $30m+ check to the Red Cross for the people of Japan during press preview
• 2nd Annual NADA/IHS/NYIAS Global Conference attendance up 11%
• Prestigious World Car of the Year awards name Nissan Leaf overall winner
• NYIAS launches first-ever video series called After Dark

The 111th edition of North America's first and largest publicly attended auto show proved another smash-hit. Filled with every type of vehicle imaginable including 61 of which were unveiled for the first time in the world or U.S., the 2011 New York International Automobile Show (NYIAS) was one of the most exciting shows ever, placing New York as the world's car capital during the event's 10-day run.

Unprecedented vehicle launches and media coverage helped push attendance to approximately 1.5% above last year's attendance figure, once again topping the one million visitors mark.

"This was one of the best shows we have ever had," said NYIAS chairman John LaSorsa.

"Enormously strong attendance, great press coverage, a completely revised show floor layout, the new North Hall exhibition space combined with an amazing range of world and North American introductions showed a confidence that was palpable to anyone visiting the Show this year," continued LaSorsa.

The New York International Auto Show remains the number one attended auto show in the U.S.

"The Show is a celebration of one of the world's largest and most exciting industries. We're thrilled that consumer reaction to the Show and the products on display was so positive," said Mark Schienberg, president of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA), which owns and operates the Show.

"This industry has worked hard to address the needs of consumers, and I'm delighted that we had more automakers revealing more cars than ever before, which is an amazing testimony to the spirit and resourcefulness of the automobile industry as we emerge from one of the worst economic periods in our industry's history," continued Schienberg.

Consumer Choice

Situated in the heart of North America's largest new car market in the country for new car sales, the New York Auto Show provides practical information to consumers who are looking for information about their next new car or truck. In fact, a survey of NYIAS attendees from 2009 [see footnote at the end of release] reveals that 74% of those polled plan to purchase a vehicle within two years and that 86% of those indicate that the Show is "influential" in their lease or purchase decision.

The 2011 exhibition featured nearly 1,000 cars and trucks on the Show floor covering every type of vehicle segment available including the newest lineup of clean diesels, electric and hybrid vehicles, hydrogen cars, muscle cars, CUVs, sports sedans, mini cars, light trucks, exotic cars, and more. Changes to this year's Show include new hours, as well as the debut of the all-new exhibition hall. The 84,000 square foot exhibition hall called Javits North takes NYIAS closer to 1 million square feet of exhibit space overall.NYIAS is also pleased to announce its international recognition by OICA (Organisation Internationale Des Constructeurs D'Automobiles); the Paris-based organization which represents the interests of the global automobile industry.

In 2011, NYIAS outdoor ride-and-drive program included Camp Jeep and plus the indoor Electric Vehicle Pavilion which featured a range of pure electrics for consumers to take a ride in. DUB also returned again this year with its DUB Show Tour special exhibition of 'tricked-out' cars and trucks.

"The New York Auto Show lets visitors explore the latest technologies being developed in a fun, relaxed atmosphere," said LaSorsa. "Our EV Pavilion Ride-and-Drive was one of the stars of the Show giving most visitors the opportunity to experience the feeling of being driven in an electrically powered vehicle.

"The ability of consumers to be able to talk to product specialists in an informal and fun atmosphere without any pressure to buy appears consistently high on the Show's surveys of Show visitors. The New York Auto Show is the easiest, most efficient and practical place for car buyers to compare almost every single make," remarked LaSorsa.

Also new for the Show this year was the greatly enhanced use of social media outreach to engage consumers. In addition to extensive online advertising, NYIAS used Facebook and Twitter to constantly update on the many things taking place at the Show. For the first time, NYIAS unveiled a special internet-only video series called New York Auto Show: After Dark that was posted on the Auto Show's YouTube channel and shared via Facebook and Twitter. The programs gave a late-night overview of the fun events that happened at the Show each day, and it was hosted by a talented host named Sarene.

Media Capital

The success of the Show's press week is driven by many factors including media coverage. This year, strong national and local television news helped drive interest in new vehicles. Highlights included a week-long series on Live! with Regis & Kelly featuring four brand new vehicles per day, multiple Today Show segments, and live business network coverage direct from the show floor by CNBC, CNN, Fox News, Fox Business, and Bloomberg. WPIX (Channel 11) provided unprecedented daily coverage from the Show floor throughout the press and public days of the Show.

Trade Show Component Boosts NY Economy

In addition to the glitz and excitement of the public show, the New York Auto Show is a unique business-to-business trade event allowing the auto industry direct access to the finance, marketing, advertising, and hospitality industries that are headquartered in New York City. During the Show's press preview week, the world's automotive executives and media arrived in Manhattan for a week of product unveilings and dozens of industry forums, symposiums, awards ceremonies, conferences, galas and receptions.

"The Show creates two very distinct and separate events to highlight and continue our century-long role as a leading player in the promotion of the automobile; one business-to-business, the other public," said LaSorsa.

"With our trade events like the 2nd Annual NADA /IHS Automotive Forum and Nielsen's Automotive Advertising Awards which achieved a huge attendance boost this year, we embrace the financial powerbrokers of Wall Street and the advertisers of Madison Avenue in a way that's not possible anywhere else but in New York. And our press preview days remind us how New York City is a place where trends begin, opinions are formed, and news is made," he continued.

Nissan Americas' Chairman, Carlos Tavares, officially opened the Show's press preview days with a keynote address where he reminded the audience that Nissan was the hardest hit by last month's massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan but that it is rapidly recovering from damage to its manufacturing plants and changes are coming in how, where and when Nissan produces its cars.

Before the keynote address this year, NYIAS welcomed 12 leaders of the U.S. auto industry to be recognized for their company's contributions and support following the horrific earthquake and tsunami and subsequent nuclear crisis in Japan last month.  Collectively—and with the support of all the other car companies—the auto industry has raised and contributed over $30 million globally to the relief efforts going on right now in Japan, as that country works to rebuild and revitalize its people and its economy. Auto leaders, Jim O'Donnell, President, BMW of North America; Steve Girsky, Vice Chairman, General Motors; John Mendel, Executive Vice President, American Honda; Jim O'Sullivan, President and CEO, Mazda North American Operations; Carlos Tavares, Chairman, Nissan Americas; Tom Doll, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Subaru of America; Yoshimi Inaba, President & Chief Operating Officer, Toyota Motor North America; Representing the Chrysler Group, Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of MOPAR; Mike Stanton, President, Global Automakers; Phil Brady, President, National Automobile Dealers Association; and Lou Giordano, Chairman, Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association. Representing the Japanese auto industry, was Toshihiro Iwatake,Executive Director & Secretary General, Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, and from Washington, DC American Red Cross Vice President, Alice O'Rourke.

In addition to the important annual events such as the National Automotive Technology Competition, and the World Traffic Safety Symposium with a keynote address from NHTSA Deputy Administrator Ronald Medford, NYIAS hosted several important industry events including the World Car of the Year Awards.

"This prestigious awards program continues to grow in importance around the world and the Show was honored to host the event in New York City again this year. Last month, we joined members of the World Car Committee in Geneva for the Press Conference to announce the top three winners in each of four categories," said GNYADA president Mark Schienberg.

Next Year's Show

Next spring, the New York International Automobile Show will be open to the public from Friday, April 6th through Sunday, April 15th, 2012. Press Days are April 4th & 5th. NYIAS is owned and produced by the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association.

Visit Auto Show New York for more information.

Editors' note: 2009 exit survey information is the most current available. No survey was conducted in 2010 and the 2011 data is not yet available.