Auto Show Attendance Tops Previous Years

DETROIT (WWJ) - The auto show has wrapped up for another year, with 795,000 paying visitors to Cobo Center. Another 55,000 journalists from over 60 countries also attended the North American International Auto Show.

This year's show chairman Jim Seavitt tells WWJ why he thinks the attendance figures were so good:

"I think the economy is back, number one. Number two, every manufacturer is down here and they all brought their A-game; with the enthusiasm of manufacturers that spread to the journalists, but then spread to a lot of the TV and radio stations - I think excited the public to come down here," said Seavitt.

"It really shows you ... how the automotive technology is changing - vehicle to vehicle communications, the navigation systems, electric vehicles, hybrids etc. there is so much to learn about the future of this industry and it's right here at the show."

Seavitt is also owner of Village Ford.

"It's just a great turn-a-round, it's a sign of continuing confidence in the industry, great product, great design and everyone's on board and focused and heading in the right direction," said auto show spokesman Joe Rohatynski.

And the number one vehicle everyone wanted to see: The new 2014 Corvette Stingray.

Attendance increased about 25,000 from last year's figure and is the highest since 2004.

Next year's chairman of the auto show will be Bob Shuman.