Manufacturing Transformation, Fuel Economy Challenges: Focus of Special MBS 2009 Sessions

ANN ARBOR, Mich., July 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Automobile manufacturing is undergoing a major transformation of its business model, given current economic challenges, continued technology advancements and demands, and heightened global competition. The implications of these changes will have far-reaching consequences beyond the plant floor for all automakers and their suppliers.

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To address the impact on the industry, this year's CAR Management Briefing Seminars, sponsored by the Center for Automotive Research, will offer two sessions focused on manufacturing, Aug. 4 in Traverse City, Mich.

"New Business Models and Reducing the Cost of Manufacturing" on Tuesday morning will provide insight into changing manufacturing paradigms and producing high quality at low cost--methodologies the most competitive manufacturers employ.

"Manufacturing for Fuel Economy" on Tuesday afternoon considers the near-term evolution of fuel economy technologies and their implications for manufacturers of both body and powertrain components and systems.

"Mass production came first, and then came lean production. The question is 'what's next?'" said Dr. Jay Baron, president/CEO of CAR. "Tomorrow's suppliers have to reinvent the business model as they develop new product technologies for powertrain and lightweight components. These sessions will include discussions from some of the world's leaders on these topics." Baron will chair both sessions.

Selected speakers at the Aug. 4 manufacturing sessions demonstrate a broad depth of industry knowledge. They include: Josef Kersher, President, BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC ; Ted Brown, Vice President and General Manager, Powertrain Systems, Comau North America; Bruce Hettle, Executive Director, Manufacturing Engineering, Ford Motor Company; James P. Womack, Ph.D., Chairman, Lean Enterprise Institute and Senior Lecturer, Engineering Systems Division, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Stephen B. Johnson, Manufacturing Program Manager, Wind NPI Programs, GE Energy; Swamy Kotagiri, Executive Vice President, Engineering and R&D, Cosma International (Magna); and Harald Naunheimer, Ph.D., Vice President, Corporate Research and Development, ZF Friedrichshafen.

The CAR Management Briefing Seminars have been an automotive industry tradition for more than 40 years and attract attendees from auto manufacturers, suppliers, the government, academia and the media who participate in targeted sessions, senior-level executive panels and highly valued networking opportunities.

In addition to the special sessions on manufacturing, general sessions on Wednesday and Thursday (Aug. 5-6) focus on critical global automotive strategies, including the new role of the government in the industry and sustainability in an era of climate change and related policies. Additional Aug. 4 sessions will address the evolving role of innovation and how it must be incorporated into products and processes; as well as the growing development and impact of the connected vehicle. A Friday, Aug. 7, session will look at the changing financial environment given low sales, bankruptcies, availability of financing and the U.S. government's role as lender.

In addition, the 9th Advanced Powertrain Forum, sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, will address both policy and technology issues in the evolving area of powertrains.

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, contact the Center for Automotive Research at (734) 662-1287 or visit the Web site.

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.

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