It is the second public day of the auto show at Cobo Center. And despite the frigid temperatures, crowds already were sliding in and out of cars shortly after the doors opened at 9 a.m. The ambiance differs from previous auto shows. The glitz and over the top frills are gone, in deference to the times.

But the sluggish economy already has impacted the show. Attendance and contributions from the annual black-tie Charity Preview were significantly down from last year. The sold- out crowd of 15,000 on January 18, 2008, raised $6 million for the 12 children's Metro Detroit charities. This year, only 7,000 guests attended on Friday, and raised more than $2.6 million for the charities.

But for the throngs at the auto show, it's all about the eco-friendly hybrids and futuristic features. There are more than 700 vehicles on display. And the show producers are hoping for large crowds. Last year, the auto show attracted more than 7,000 attendees and over 6,000 international media from 63 countries.

'We had nearly 75,000 people brave the roads and the weather yesterday, and we expect the attendance to continue to go up,' said spokeswoman Shand Spencer of John Bailey and Associates, the public relations firm representing the show. But she acknowledged the numbers may be down.

'It has been a very tough year, and these are tough times for everybody,' she said. 'But we're just happy to have raised $2.6 million for childrens' charities, and have raised $35 million in the past six years.'

One of the most popular areas of the auto show is the eco-friendly green destination.The MEDC EcoXperience, sponsored by the Michigan economic Development Corp., allows attendees to ride in the latest hybrid and electric vehicles on a track located on the lower level of Cobo Center. The line was long as visitors waited for a driver to spin them around a one eighth mile panoramic course in an elegant hybrid Escalade, or a Chevy Equinox Hydrogen Fuel Cell car, among ten others. The track is surrounded by 100 maple, pine and birch trees, waterfalls, brick pavers, and decorated with red and white tulips and other flowers.

The Carson family from Leonard stood in the long line with others waiting for a ride around the track.

'We're in the market for a new car, but we just haven't decided which one we want yet,' said David Carson, 40, who attended the show with his wife, Kelly, 38 and their three children. 'But I wanted to ride in one of these cars because I'm most interested in the technology. Kelly Carson was equally impressed. 'I'm fascinated and just wanted to see a hybrid car up close,' she said.

The Detroit News Readers' Choice Awards, comprised of 100-reader judges, awarded the Best of Show to the Ford Taurus, the Best Curves to the Chevrolet Camaro, Sexiest to the Corvette ZRI and the Most Earth Friendly to the Toyota Prius.

For those who prefer compact cars to larger varieties, there were plenty of offerings, including the Chevy Spark concept car, available in 2011. It is a four-passenger, three-door hatchback with a space age look. Toyota's electric concept, the FT-EV will be available in 2012. It is a four-seat battery powered tiny car that resembles a toy.

College students and those in grades 9-12 will have an opportunity to explore automotive career paths and learn about trends in the auto industry beginning at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday in Cobo Arena while attending NAIAS Automotive Education Day. Students will be invited to visit the exhibits on the show floor and to speak with human resource representatives about career information in small groups and one-on-one discussions.

The auto show continues through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. On Sunday, hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with no admittance after 6 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for those 65 and older and $6 for children 7-12. Children 6 and under are admitted free when accompanied by their parents or guardian.