Top Designers to Share Their Craft at 9th Annual AutoWeek Design Forum Jan. 9

DETROIT, Nov. 8 -- Five leading design professionals will share their creative insights at AutoWeek's ninth annual Design Forum, Wednesday, Jan. 9 at Cobo Conference/Exhibition Center. The day long program begins with registration at 8 a.m. and concludes after the dinner program at 9 p.m.

The event is presented by AutoWeek and is held in conjunction with the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) and sponsored by Johnson Controls, Inc. Deloitte & Touche, Michelin and the City of Sunderland are VIP sponsors of the event.

Geared to automotive and non-automotive professionals and students alike, the Design Forum agenda features speaker presentations in Cobo's Riverview Ballroom, tours of the 2002 NAIAS and presentation of the AutoWeek Editors' Choice and the Automotive News Concept Car of the Year Awards.

Addressing Design Forum attendees throughout the day will be:

-- Chris Bangle, chief of design, BMW AG -- Ian Callum, director of design, Jaguar -- Fabrizio Giugiaro, manager of styling and prototypes, Italdesign -- Bob Lutz, vice chairman product development, General Motors -- Thomas H. Semple, president, Nissan Design America

A reception and dinner program will follow afternoon tours of the NAIAS.

Winners of the AutoWeek Editors' Choice Awards for the Best in Show, Most Fun, Most Significant and Best Concept vehicles of the 2002 NAIAS will be announced during the dinner program.

Automotive News will also announce its Concept Car of the Year Award winners during the dinner program, recognizing the leading concept styles and vehicles unveiled at auto shows around the world -- from the 2000 Paris Motor Show through the 2001 Tokyo Show. First, second and third place honors will be announced for the best Environmental Concept, Interior Concept and Exterior Concept, as well as the Concept Car of the Year.

The evening will close with remarks by Lutz.

Registration for the day long program is $250 for professionals and $99 for students. Tickets are $150 each for the dinner program only. Additional AutoWeek Design Forum information and online registration is available at http://www.autoweek.com .