The NAIAS Surpasses Expectations

It was thought that more than 800,000 would converge on the Motor City for the North American International Auto Show, but those numbers were off--and by quite a bit. Official attendance numbers show more than 102,000 attended on Sunday alone and those are the best numbers in a decade.

The auto show, which featured 550 vehicles--some in interactive displays--was celebrating its 25th anniversary and say the increased popularity was a special way to commemorate the event.  Vistors came from 39 states and 60 countries.

The traditional Charity Preview also saw big numbers.  MLive.com is reporting the one-night event attracted nearly 14,000 people looking to open their checkbooks--and they did--to the tune of $4.8 million for children's charities.

The event is also a big economic boon for the state.  Estimates put the impact in the last quarter century at nearly $10 billion.  They say more than $360 million came this year alone.