Ford's Nick Scheele Heads All-Star Panel On Environmental Issues at SAE 2002 World Congress

WARRENDALE, Pa., Jan. 3 -- Leaders from around the world will tackle the issue of the environment and where the emphasis will be placed in the future. The discussion will take place at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE International) Blue Ribbon Panel, Monday, March 4 at 4 p.m. during the SAE 2002 World Congress in Room W1-51, Cobo Center, Detroit, Michigan.

``Environment and Regulatory Policy: The Role of the Modern Diesel'' is the theme of the Blue Ribbon Panel. Participants in the session will include Nick Scheele, COO & President, Ford Automotive Operations, and Tim Solso, CEO, Cummins, Inc. Governor Christine Todd Whitman, now director of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, has been invited and is expected to participate on the panel. SAE is also expecting participation of a major global petroleum company executive. Confirmations of other panel members will follow.

With the recent Tier 2 and heavy-duty emissions regulations, motor vehicle emissions controls are approaching new limits. Attendees of the SAE 2002 World Congress will get a chance to learn what top executives and government regulators think about the future of environmental and regulatory issues. The environment is once again poised to be a hot topic at this year's World Congress. SAE and event sponsor Ford Motor Company have positioned this important discussion on Monday, the first day of the show.

Two additional executive panels with an environmental focus are also scheduled. Hybrid Electric Vehicles - Niche or Mass Market will take place Wednesday, March 6 and The Diesel Engine of Tomorrow is scheduled for Thursday, March 7. These executive panels are open to all registrants and OEM employees.