Is There A Future For The Car Industry As We Know It?

    - A Challenge to Designers -

    MARKHAM, ON, Feb. 6 - There is an over supply of cars on our roads
causing virtual gridlock in major cities across North America. Yet advertising
still tries to sell more cars in a receding market where consumer lack of
confidence is fuelling fears of a new recession. Is the car dead? Is there a
future for the industry car as we know it?

    Geoff Wardle, automotive designer, corporate consultant and currently the
Director of Corporate Relations, Art Center College of Design in Pasadena,
California questions the future of the automobile as it exists today. He
believes that manufacturers should stop being car companies and start being
providers of mobility.

    The receding market is an opportunity for the auto industry to redefine
itself as a provider of mobility and not as a manufacturer of cars Wardle
says. He claims a huge opportunity exists for car companies to take bold
initiatives in solving many of the global mobility issues that we face now and
will face in the future.

    Wardle will lead an animated exchange of automotive designers and media.
Members of the press are invited to attend and ask the designers questions
that will stimulate discussion. Speakers include:

    -  Brian Baker, General Motors Advanced Portfolio Exploration Team
       (SSR concept vehicle - "The Concept Behind the Concept")

    -  Michael Ellis, Design Director, TH!NK Group, Ford Motor Company
       (An advanced look at the TH!NK Group of Products)

    -  Ralph Gilles, Senior Manager, Design Office, DaimlerChrysler Corp.
       (Dodge Viper concept car: "Design at the Crossroads" )

    -  Adrian Hooydonck, BMW Design Works USA (BMW Z9 - "What will drive BMW
       design tomorrow - Emotion vs. Technology".)

    -  Peter Horbury, Chief Designer, Volvo Car Corporation
       (Vice President and Chief Designer - "Volvo S60 - From the horse and
       carriage to the jet fighter")

    -  Ken K. Okuyama, Chair, Transportation Design Dept. Art Center College
       of Design, Pasadena (Recently arrived from the Pininfarina studio in
       Italy, Mr. Okuyama will talk about the future of the Art Center's
       Transportation Design Department)

    -  Giles Taylor, Design Manager, Advanced Design Studio, Jaguar Cars
       (Design Manager, Jaguar XJ Program - "Jaguar Interior Design")

    WHAT:    Design Forum - 2001 Canadian International AutoShow
    WHEN:    Tuesday, February 13, 2001 - 9:00 - 4:30 pm
    WHERE:   South Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 222 Bremner Blvd.,
             Toronto, Ontario Canada
    TIMES:   9:00 - 12:15 pm   SPEAKER PRESENTATIONS
             1:00 - 3:00 pm    PANEL DISCUSSION
             3:00 pm:          PERSONAL ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEWS
                               WITH EACH DESIGNER

    REGISTRATION:
    -  There is no registration fee for the Design Forum.
    -  To register, simply go on-line to http://www.autoshow.ca and fill in the
       form.
    -  On-site: Go directly to the South Metro Toronto Convention Centre,
       222 Bremner Blvd., Toronto just west of the Air Canada Centre.