The

got a quick start off the line on Saturday, as officials say opening day attendance was the highest in five years.

Bill Perkins, a local auto dealer who is serving as chair of the 2012 show, said 92,106 visited the Cobo Center in Detroit, up from last year's opening day total of 86,622.

"We are absolutely thrilled at today's turnout," he said in a released statement. "The week just keeps getting better and better, and we're so pleased to share all the excitement with so many people and families who joined us for opening day."

Overall, 735,370 people attended the show last year, pumping an estimated $350 million into the local economy. Perkins and other officials recently announced a deal that will

through at least 2017.

Saturday's solid attendance figures come after a week of

across the globe who showed off

during media and industry previews days.

We stopped by the public show Saturday morning, and while several attendees were impressed by the practicality of fuel-efficient vehicles such as the new Dodge Dart, many were more interested in

and sitting inside luxury sedans.

The Detroit auto show opens to the public each day at 9 a.m. through Jan. 22 at Cobo Center, One Washington Blvd. in Detroit.

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