Michigan Economic Development Corporation Seeds The Global Automotive Institute

Institute Dedicated to Joining National and International OEMs and Suppliers

    LANSING, Mich., Aug. 7 The Michigan Economic Development
Corporation (MEDC) announced its support for the creation of a Global
Automotive Institute today.  This institute, a high-level think tank for the
industry, will facilitate discussions between automotive industry leaders
concerning global policies and research that require innovative solutions.
The institute will be the only organization to bring national and
international original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers together
focusing specifically on policy development.
    The Global Automotive Institute, conceived by the late Heinz Prechter,
former chairman and founder of ASC, Incorporated, will bring together
specialized policy, research and manufacturing organizations.  It will aid in
policy formulation, technology implementation and productivity improvement
through better communications and collaborative research.  The focus of the
Global Automotive Institute includes providing a:

    *  platform for senior executive relationship building among all sectors
of the industry;
    *  mechanism for developing high-priority policy initiatives;
    *  means for coordinating pre-competitive global research;
    *  and an opportunity for discussion of global issues and dissemination of
research results.

    "This institute was the brainchild of Heinz Prechter who recognized that
advances in the automotive industry have led to increasingly complex and
global concerns, such as fuel efficiency and the industry's environmental
impact," said Doug Rothwell, president and CEO of the Michigan Economic
Development Corporation.  "Locating this institute in Michigan recognizes that
we are the brainpower center of the world automotive industry.  It will
provide a place for the world's automotive leaders to build relationships and
develop innovative solutions to the challenges facing the sector.  The
automotive industry is arguably one of the nation's leading technology
industries and this institute will give it a more visible platform to advance
its progress in developing future technological breakthroughs."
    The MEDC is expected to provide seed money to this institute for startup
operations.  The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) is charged with the
development of the institute under the guidance of a Board of Directors that
will include automotive executives and the MEDC.  Initially, the institute
will be staffed and hosted by CAR.
    The Global Automotive Institute will host an annual forum to identify
strategic issues facing the international automotive industry and to assist in
determining research priorities.
    "We are humbled by the opportunity to participate in the formation and
management of the Global Automotive Institute," said David Cole, director of
the Center for Automotive Research.  "Heinz Prechter was a true visionary and
dedicated champion of our global industry.  Our goal is to complement existing
automotive organizations and help bring the industry together, in what will
undoubtedly be a challenging and turbulent future."
    The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) is within the Environmental
Research Institute of Michigan (ERIM) in Ann Arbor, MI.  CAR conducts research
in significant issues related to the future direction of the global automotive
industry and organizes and conducts forums of value to the automotive
community.  ERIM is a non-profit collaborative innovative community dedicated
to the discovery, development and application of scientific knowledge for the
benefit of society throughout the world.
    The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, a partnership between the
state and local communities, promotes smart economic growth by developing
strategies and providing services to create and retain good jobs and a high
quality of life.  For more information, please visit the Michigan Economic
Development Corporation website at http://www.michigan.org or call 517-373-9808.

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