News From The 2001 Canadian International AutoShow
TORONTO, Jan. 29 - North America now has a second truly
international auto show in addition to Detroit.
Canada steps onto the world automotive stage for the first time February
13 - 15, 2001 when the Canadian International AutoShow (CIAS) in Toronto,
Ontario debuts as an OICA sanctioned international show. This now places
Toronto in the elite group of internationally recognized motor shows that take
place in Detroit, Tokyo, Paris, Frankfurt and Geneva.
To showcase this inaugural occasion, a unique Design Forum has been
organized for Tuesday, February 13th, 2001 featuring some of the most
influential and "leading edge" designers in the automotive world today.
Media will receive an advanced look at the Ford Motor Company's future
TH!NK Group of Products. In addition, concept car designers who have created
the BMW Z9, Dodge Viper, Volvo SCC, Chevrolet SSR, Jaguar F-Type, and other
such show-stoppers will all be present to speak about the design challenges
and opportunities presented by the rapidly changing automotive industry.
OVERALL FORMAT
--------------
The Design Forum is open to members of the media. There is no
registration fee. A list of confirmed speakers and the Design Forum schedule
follows. A brief biography on each designer as well as an outline of their
individual presentations will be released Friday, February 2nd. A small group
of automotive and industrial design students from both the United States and
Canada have also been invited to attend the forum.
- Morning session: Designers will address the media through a series of
individual presentations; each with its own question and answer period
with the media.
- Afternoon session: A panel discussion amongst the designers will take
place. One pertinent topic will be chosen by the designers themselves
closer to the event. Media and students will participate through
questions to the panel.
- One-on-one interviews and a photo op with each designer will take
place between 3:00 - 4:00 pm on the same day. Each designer will have
his own press conference room. We would be pleased to assist you with
interview scheduling. Please contact Beth Xenarios at 1-905-338-0139.
CIAS PRODUCT PREMIERES
----------------------
Members of the media are invited to attend the North American premieres
revealed on the first media day of the CIAS, Wednesday, February 14, 2001. The
Design Forum media pass is good for all CIAS media days February 13 - 15,
2001. Free parking is also available. Manufacturers with North American
reveals are Ford, Suzuki and Toyota.
MEDIA SUPPORT SERVICES
----------------------
Michelin North America Inc., is the official sponsor of the Media Centre
for the 2001 show. With a presence at the world's major automotive events,
including Detroit, Geneva, Paris and Tokyo, the Michelin Media Centres have
set the industry standard for media services to the international automotive
press.
Zeptron Impel Productions (ZIP), the team providing video production, web
streaming and satellite transmission services at the North American
International Auto Show in Detroit for the past five years, is the CIAS
broadcast and video services supplier for this year's show. ZIP will be
setting up a turn key on-site Broadcast and Production Centre within the Metro
Toronto Convention Centre. Their full range of production services will be
available to the international broadcast media.
MSN CarPoint Canada; the official web site of the Canadian International
AutoShow will web-cast the Design Forum around the world. Tom Tonks, CIAS
General Manager, stated that "We are honoured to be part of MSN CarPoint's
coverage of major automotive events including the Detroit and Paris auto
shows."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRAVEL FACTS
------------
MONEY:
The American dollar is worth 40% - 50% more in Canada. Exchange bureaus
are located adjacent to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
HOTEL: The official media hotel is the Royal York. There is a special
CIAS room rate of Cdn$151.00. Call 1-800-441-1414 or 416-368-2511 to
reserve your room. Alternatively, you can visit our web site at
http://www.autoshow.ca and reserve your room on-line.
TRAVEL TO TORONTO, Ontario from the United States: Please refer to the
directions posted to our web-site. Information is available on plane,
train and car travel.
HOW TO REGISTER:
1. There is no fee for the Design Forum.
2. Please go to our auto show web site at http://www.autoshow.ca.
3. Fill in registration form and submit by e-mail with a copy of your
press or business card by fax to 1-705-733-0841.
4. If you do not have access to the Internet, fill in the attached
form and fax to Lara Brown at 1-705-733-0841 with a copy of your
press card.
CONFIRMED SPEAKER LIST AND ITINERARY
7:30 am Media Registration and Breakfast - Michelin Media Centre -
South Building, Room 718, Metro Toronto Convention Centre
9:00 - CONFIRMED SPEAKER PRESENTATIONS - In alphabetical order:
12:15 pm
- Brian Baker, General Motors Advanced Portfolio Experimental
Team (SSR concept vehicle)
- Michael Ellis, Design Director, TH!NK Group, Ford Motor
Company (TH!NK Group of Products)
- Ralph Gilles, Senior Manager, Design Office,
DaimlerChrysler Corp. (Dodge Viper concept car)
- Adrian Hooydonck, BMW Design Works USA (BMW Z9)
- Peter Horbury, Chief Designer, Volvo Car Corporation
(Volvo S60)
- Giles Taylor, Design Manager, Advanced Design Studio,
Jaguar Cars (Jaguar F-Type)
- Geoff Wardle, Director Corporate Relations, Transportation
Design Faculty, Art Center College of Design, Pasadena,
California (Audi and Johnson Controls design projects)
12:15 pm LUNCH and
Presentation - Canadian Car of the Year BEST NEW DESIGN AWARD
1:00 pm PANEL DISCUSSION
- Topic will be determined by the speakers themselves.
3:00 pm INDIVIDUAL PRESS INTERVIEWS with SPEAKERS
4:30 pm Design Forum ends.
