Automotive Industry Action Group Names 2001 Outstanding Achievement Awards Winners

    SOUTHFIELD, Mich., July 13 The Automotive Industry Action
Group (AIAG) will recognize 19 individuals and two member companies for
exceptional leadership and participation in cooperative automotive industry
efforts with Outstanding Achievement Awards at its annual AIAG awards dinner
on Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 6:15 p.m. at Detroit's Cobo Center.
    AIAG member companies receiving the 2001 Outstanding Achievement Awards
are Lear Corp., based in Southfield, Mich. and PACCAR, Inc., based in
Bellevue, Wash.
    Emery J. Szmrecsanyi, retired supervisor of product data exchange and
product data quality for DaimlerChrysler Corp., will be awarded AIAG's
Lifetime Achievement Award for his continuous dedication to supporting AIAG's
cooperative auto industry efforts.
    Volunteers receiving awards for their individual efforts are:

    *  Mary Kay Blantz                IONA Technologies
    *  Fredrick L. Bsharah            Ford Motor Co.
    *  Poly A. Endrasik, Jr.          DaimlerChrysler Corp.
    *  R. Eric Freeburg               Intermec Technologies Corp.
    *  Larry G. Graham                General Motors Corp.
    *  Marsha A. Harmon               QED Systems
    *  Daniel J. Huhn                 formerly with ORBIS
    *  Donna LeFaive                  Trinary Systems, Inc.
    *  Ted W. Legge                   retired from Cummins, Inc.
    *  Walter R. Manns                Ford Motor Co.
    *  Patricia A. Mariles            J.D. Edwards World Source Co.
    *  Melanie McCarthy               General Motors Corp.
    *  Susan Tatus McLarty            General Motors Corp.
    *  Gary M. Morin                  BCE Emergis
    *  Robert Mulvey                  Dana Corp.
    *  David F. Myers                 CTS Corp.
    *  Robert E. Nelson               PACCAR, Inc.
    *  Patricia Ann Toufar            Future Three, Inc.

    "These individuals and member companies help enhance the prosperity of the
automotive industry by contributing their time and expertise to industry
projects at the AIAG," said Kenneth W. Godzina, AIAG executive director.  "The
award recipients are being recognized by their peers for their commitment and
hard work in supporting AIAG initiatives.  We thank all of the individuals and
their companies for their continued support."
    Approximately 500 executives from automakers, truck manufacturers and
supplier companies are expected to attend the annual dinner that honors
individuals and member companies for their outstanding volunteer efforts at
AIAG.
    Richard E. Dauch, co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer of
American Axle & Manufacturing, will deliver the keynote address at the awards
dinner -- which is held in conjunction with AIAG's AUTO-TECH 2001 Conference &
Exhibition that runs Aug. 28-30.
    Tickets for the Outstanding Achievement Awards Dinner are $75 for AIAG
member companies and $100 for non-members.
    Sponsored by the AIAG, AUTO-TECH is an annual conference and exhibition
geared toward improving trading partner relationships, while helping companies
improve cost, quality and business practices through the adoption of new
technologies, standards and industry best practices.
    For AUTO-TECH registration and conference information, contact the AIAG at
248-358-3570.  Those interested in exhibiting at AUTO-TECH should call the
AIAG at 248-358-9764.
    Founded in 1982, the AIAG is a not-for-profit trade association of
approximately 1,600 automotive and truck manufacturers and their suppliers.
AIAG's purpose is to provide an open forum where members cooperate in
developing and promoting solutions that enhance the prosperity of the
automotive industry.  Its focus is to continuously improve business processes
and practices involving trading partners throughout the supply chain.
    More information about the AIAG and its initiatives can be found at
http://www.aiag.org .