Auto industry financing discussed at 2011 New York Auto Show

Leaders from the auto industry and members of the public recently gathered in New York to find out about the newest offerings from companies around the world. Those in attendance got the chance to network and find out about auto industry financing and other information essential to their day-to-day business practices. The 2011 New York International Automobile Show, the oldest and most heavily attended event of its kind, drew more than 1 million visitors and unveiled 61 new vehicles. The 10-day event drew 1.5 percent more guests than last year and attendees were able to enter the brand-new North Hall exhibit space, which encountered "huge crowds." In addition to the new cars that were introduced, industry leaders also joined forces to help support a good cause. Twelve industry executives presented a check worth more than $30 million for the Red Cross, as it works to help the people of Japan recover from the worst natural disaster in its history. The chairman of the NYIAS, John LaSorsa, said that the event had been a tremendous success, allowing people to find out the latest news and offerings from a number of different manufacturers. "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." The show is owned and operated by the Greater New York Automobile Association and its president, Mark Schienberg, said that he was similarly "thrilled" that the event had been so well-attended and that the industry as a whole was working hard to meet customer demands after going through one of the "worst economic periods in our history." One of the main parts of the NYIAS was a business-to-business trade event that allowed people within the industry to discuss finance, advertising and other ways to boost sales and find out what practices had worked best for others in their field. Those that made the trip got the chance to see the latest offerings and speak to some of the most high-level executives in the sector as well.