Auto Safety Concerns Top Consumer/Industry Survey

6 January 2001

    DETROIT - Consumer safety concerns, particularly vehicle roll over, tire 
safety and driver distraction, will be the top agenda of auto industry and 
government experts at the Global Automotive Safety Conference.  Global 
automotive industry safety experts and top industry executives will unite to 
present solutions and discuss significant advancements in automotive safety at 
the Society of Plastics Engineers' (SPE) International Automotive Safety 
Conference.  The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, 
February 5, at the Michigan State University Management Education Center in 
Troy, Michigan.

    The two-day event will include 20 cutting-edge presentations from automotive 
safety experts and a VIP panel of industry executives.  On Tuesday, February 6, 
a tour, sponsored by DaimlerChrysler, of the University of Michigan CIREN Trauma 
Center in Ann Arbor and the Lear Technology Center in Southfield will take 
place.

    Conference topics include airbags, rollover, head, side and rear vehicle
impact, and advances in future vehicle safety.  Key topics include tire
safety, elematics, driver distraction and child safety.

    In addition, an exhibit area will feature the latest displays in safety
advancements and new safety component technology.

    "This Conference will highlight new plastic applications for automotive
safety," said Suzanne Cole, an automotive industry safety expert; and chairman
of the Global Automotive Safety Conference.  "It's a fabulous opportunity for
executives from industry, academia and government to gather and learn about
new advances in automotive safety and discover how new government regulations
will change the way vehicles are designed."

    "Our research indicates that consumers are purchasing vehicles based upon
their safety record and advanced safety features.  Consumers are demanding
safer vehicles in all product categories and manufacturers are recognizing
that those concerns are one of the key components in establishing vehicle
brand identity," said Cole.

    Speakers include, William Walsh, Associate Administrator, NHTSA; Brian
O'Neill, President, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety; Dr. Ricardo
Martinez M.D., NHTSA Administrator 1994-1999; Joseph M. Gingo, Senior Vice
President, Technology and Global Products Planning Goodyear; Larry Denton,
President, Dow Automotive; Dr. Stewart Wang MD, PhD, Director, University of
Michigan Burns Trauma Center; Susan Cischke, Senior Vice President, Regulatory
Affairs and Passenger Car Operations, DaimlerChrysler; Tom Moore, Vice
President, Liberty and Technical Affairs, DaimlerChrysler; Martin Dawson,
Vice President Polyurethanes, Bayer Corporation; and several others.

    The VIP panel discussion and press conference will take place from 4 p.m.
to 6 p.m. featuring Mr. Lindsey Brooke, Executive Editor of Automotive
Industries Magazine, as the panel moderator.

    The SPE Global Automotive Safety Conference is an opportunity for
engineering, marketing, sales and policy professionals at vehicle
manufacturers and suppliers to interact with industry executives and top
global safety experts.  To purchase tickets, contact Pat Levine, American
Plastics Council (248)244-8993, or e-mail, spe@ameriplas.org.

    Registration is limited to the first 300 people.