Is there a future for the car as we know it?

    - A Challenge to Designers -

    MARKHAM, ON, Feb. 9 - Geoff Wardle, controversial automotive
designer and academic told an audience in San Francisco yesterday that that
manufacturers should stop being car companies and start being mobility
companies.

    Geoff Wardle is the second industry leader in a month to question
prolific car production and speak passionately about mobility enterprises. At
the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show in early January, Wolfgang Reitzle, head of
Ford's Premier Auto Group, harshly criticized America's flagging auto
industry, challenging manufacturers to aggressively pursue new technologies
and marketing strategies.

    Wardle promises to spice up a panel discussion this Tuesday, February
13th, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, featuring some of the most influential
designers in the automotive world today who have created such "leading edge"
vehicles as the BMW Z9; Volvo S60, Chevrolet SSR and the Ford TH!NK Group of
Products to name a few.

    Members of the media are invited to attend. Individual rooms have been
set aside for personal, one-on-one interviews and photo ops, with each
designer immediately following the afternoon's panel 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 von Hooydonk, 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")

    TOPIC:     IS THERE A FUTURE FOR THE CAR AS WE KNOW IT?

    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
               1:15 - 3:00 pm     PANEL DISCUSSION
               3:00 pm:           PERSONAL ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEWS WITH EACH
                                  DESIGNER