Lutz To Keynote SAE Outlook Conference

DETROIT, Nov. 12 -- The Society of Automotive Analysts (SAA) will present its annual Automotive Outlook Conference Tuesday, January 8, 2002 in conjunction with the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The theme of this year's conference is ``The New Automotive Economy.''

The lunchtime keynote speaker will be Robert Lutz, Vice Chairman for Product Development, General Motors Corporation. Mr. Lutz will provide analyst participants with his pointed views of the present and future of the auto industry. Lutz's automotive career began in 1963 at GM, and has included positions held at BMW, Ford and the former Chrysler Corporation. Now back at GM, he is charged with injecting creative thinking and excitement -- and sales -- into the world's largest car company.

The conference will include four panels with multiple speakers in each:

The Wall Street Outlook -- with Matt Stover of Salomon Smith Barney and John Casesa of Merrill Lynch -- addressing the most challenging issue the auto industry faces today -- financial performance -- from the perspective of both the vehicle manufacturer and the supplier. A New Regulatory Era -- with Randall Lutter, PhD, of the American Enterprise Institute; David Shaw of the Air Resource Division, Dept of Environmental Conservation, New York State; and Erika Jones of Mayer, Brown and Plait (former General Counsel, NHTSA) -- exploring the latest developments in CAFE, emissions and safety. Technologies of the Future -- with Firoz Rasul of Ballard Power Systems, David Foster, PhD of University of Wisconsin, and Steven Millstein of ATX Technologies -- describing their visions of how fuel cells, alternative powertrains and telematics will shape tomorrow's auto industry. The Leading Economists' Annual Report -- featuring Van Jolissaint of DaimlerChrysler, Ellen Hughes-Cromwick of Ford Motor, and Mustafa Mohatarem of General Motors -- chief economists rolling out their assessments and projections for the automotive industry. A perennial favorite! Each of the panel discussions, as well as the Keynote Address, will provide ample time for audience dialogue with the speakers via Q&A -- always among the highlights of the Outlook Conference. Attendees will hear candid opinions and analysis from some of the industry's most respected authorities. They also will have the opportunity to interact with colleagues to share experiences, ideas and solutions.

Each registrant can enjoy a sneak preview of the latest products at the NAIAS with an exclusive SAA Analyst Pass, valid during Press Week, January 6- 10.

For additional information, contact SAA headquarters at 800-704-0051; fax: 734-677-2407; e-mail to info@autoanalyst.org . Or visit the SAA Web site at www.autoanalyst.org which includes on-line registration.

The Society of Automotive Analysts is dedicated to providing outstanding educational programs and superior networking opportunities to its members by offering conferences, programs, and other forums in which to discuss, debate, and learn about a broad variety of subjects and timely industry issues. The society is comprised of over six hundred individual members.