Motor City Showtime

DETROIT – The North American International Auto Show kicks off Monday, set to raise expectations for better global market growth, as U.S. sales alone are seen expanding by 1 million vehicles.

Over 5,000 journalists from 58 countries will join hundreds of thousands of visitors enjoying the 500 cars on display and over 40 model debuts.

Nissan's Chief Creative Officer Shiro Nakamura says Detroit is where industry statements are made.

"The Detroit Motor Show for us is very important. We have Infiniti Q50, our new sports sedan, and at the Nissan stand we have the new design of the Nissan booth and the Note Versa, and also the very important D segment crossover prototype, so it's very important the products we are showing."

The  hybrid Resonance will join a gold GT-R at the Nissan booth, where show-stopping  sights and scents will include an illuminated ring and "Innovation Wall".

A periodic release of a fragrance called Thé Vert Oriental' will give the booth an aroma like green tea during harvest, a scent that may become a brand staple.

The Detroit show comes amid a recent weakening of the Japanese yen and improving China business conditions, but with eyes still on Europe.

The U.S. market ended 2012 with its best year since 2007,  with sales of 14.5 million vehicles and industry expectations of at least 1 million more cars this year.

Detroit will likely reflect that optimism during the show's 9-day run, with attendance hoped to exceed last year's 770,000 visitors.

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