Fuel Economy Challenges: Special MBS 2008 Sessions Focus on Manufacturing, Policy...

Fuel Economy Challenges: Special MBS 2008 Sessions Focus on Manufacturing,
Policy and Technology

ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The price of a gallon of gas --
now averaging $4 a gallon in the United States -- is having a major impact on
the international automotive industry and the way it conducts business. The
implications of fuel-cost increases reach far beyond sales trends-technology,
manufacturing, and policy are all critical components of the industry which
must incorporate this new dynamic into future planning.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060504/DETH020LOGO )
To address the impact of fuel costs on production, policy and powertrain
technology, this year's Management Briefing Seminars, sponsored by the Center
for Automotive Research (CAR), offers several sessions, Aug. 11-15 in Traverse
City, Mich.
"Manufacturing for Fuel Economy" on Tuesday morning, Aug. 12, will provide
insight into the near-term evolution of fuel economy technologies and their
implications for manufacturers of both body and powertrain components and
systems. The Tuesday afternoon session, "Energy, Efficiency, and Climate: What
Role Auto?" will present a groundbreaking public dialogue between invited
representatives of automotive, environmental, government and other experts on
ideas aimed at improving the sustainability of the automobile, while growing
the economy, achieving energy independence and providing jobs. Friday, August
15, the "Advanced Powertrain Forum" will convene a panel of experts from
automotive, energy and alternative fuel organizations to address the
challenges of future powertrains and fuels, and the necessary partnerships for
success.
"Clearly the impact of gasoline at $4 a gallon goes well beyond the gas
station and consumers' pocketbook. Manufacturing experts need to consider the
accelerating pace of introducing new powertrain technologies and vehicle
light-weighting strategies in their future planning," said Dr. Jay Baron,
president/CEO of CAR. Dr. Baron will chair three sessions on manufacturing,
including "Manufacturing for Fuel Economy."
"These three sessions highlight the critical role manufacturing,
technology and policy play in creating a more sustainable product. It will put
attendees at the center of the most important issue in the industry," said
Brett Smith, co-chair of both the "Energy, Efficiency and Climate" and
"Advanced Powertrain" sessions, and the assistant director of the
Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology group at CAR.
Selected speakers across the three sessions demonstrate a broad depth of
industry knowledge, and include:
MaryAnn Wright, Chief Executive Officer, Johnson Controls-Saft and Vice
President and General Manager, Hybrid Systems Group, Johnson Controls Inc.;
Joel Wiegert, Director, Manufacturing, BorgWarner Turbo & Emission Systems;
Ronald Krupitzer, Vice President, Automotive Applications, American Iron and
Steel Institute; Michael Bull, Director of Technology, Automotive, Novelis
Corporation; Mike Stanton, President and CEO, Association of International
Automobile Manufacturers; John DeCicco, Senior Fellow, Environmental Defense;
Amory Lovins, Cofounder, Chairman, and Chief Scientist, Rocky Mountain
Institute; Beth Lowery, Vice President, Environment, Energy and Safety Policy,
General Motors Corporation; and John German, Manager, Environmental and Energy
Analysis, American Honda Motor Company, Inc.; Wes Boslen, Chief Marketing
Officer and Vice President, Business Development, Coskata; David Vieau,
President and CEO, A123 Systems; Denise Gray, Director, Global Vehicle
Engineering, Hybrids, Electric Vehicles and Batteries, General Motors
Corporation; Lou Rhodes, President, ENVI, Chrysler LLC and Justin Ward,
Engineer, Advanced Technology Vehicles, Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing,
N.A., Inc.
The Management Briefing Seminars is an automotive industry tradition, and
attracts more than 1,200 attendees who participate in targeted sessions,
senior-level executive panels and highly valued networking opportunities.
In addition to the special sessions on fuel economy, general automotive
sessions on Wednesday and Thursday (Aug. 13-14) focus on critical global
strategies, including future industry leadership. Additional speakers in the
Aug. 11-12 sessions will address the globalization of manufacturing; the
explosion of innovation and how it must be incorporated into products and
processes; and the continued---and growing---impact of the connected vehicle.
A Friday session will look at the changing financial landscape and includes
three vice presidents of procurement from vehicle manufacturers.
An up-to-date listing of speakers and sessions is available on CAR's Web
site: mbs.cargroup.org. For more information regarding MBS or to register at
the early registration rates, contact the Center for Automotive Research at
(734) 662-1287 or visit the Web site: mbs.cargroup.org
CAR's mission is to conduct research on significant issues related to the
future direction of the global automotive industry, as well as organize and
conduct forums of value to the automotive community.
SOURCE Center for Automotive Research

Lisa Hart, Center for Automotive Research, +1-734-929-0465,
lhart@cargroup.org, or Bernie DeGroat, University of Michigan News Service,
+1-734-647-1847, bernied@umich.edu