Top Designer Presentations, Auto Show Tours, Awards Create Dynamic AutoWeek Design Forum Agenda, Jan. 8

DETROIT, Nov. 25, 2002; Six of the design industry's leading executives will share their creative experiences at the AutoWeek Design Forum, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003 at Cobo Conference/Exhibition Center in Detroit, Mich. The day-long program begins with registration and continental breakfast at 8 a.m. and concludes at 9:30 p.m., following the dinner program.

Held in conjunction with the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), the Design Forum is presented by AutoWeek in association with Johnson Controls, Inc. Deloitte & Touche, Michelin, the City of Sunderland and The Underground World Corp. are additional event sponsors.

Geared to automotive and non-automotive professionals and students alike, the Design Forum agenda features morning speaker presentations in Cobo's Riverview Ballroom, guided afternoon tours of the 2003 NAIAS, a pre-dinner reception and dinner program presentations of the AutoWeek Editors' Choice and Automotive News Concept Car of the Year Awards.

The tenth annual Design Forum agenda features presentations by:

Anne Asensio, executive director of interior design, Quality & Brand Character, General Motors Antony Grade, vice-president design care programs, Renault S.A. Gavin Ivester, senior vice president & general manager, International Footwear, PUMA J Mays, vice president design, Ford Motor Company (keynote dinner speaker) Peter Pfeiffer, senior vice president design, DaimlerChrysler AG Eric Schumaker, exterior design manager, concept development design project leader, Honda R & D Americas The AutoWeek Editors' Choice Awards announced during the dinner program will recognize the Best in Show, Most Fun, Most Significant and Best Concept vehicles of the 2003 NAIAS.

The Automotive News Concept Car of the Year Awards will recognize the leading concept styles and vehicles unveiled at auto shows around the world -- from the 2002 North American International Auto Show through the 2002 Paris Show. First, second and third place honors will be presented for the best Environmental, Interior and Exterior Concepts, as well as the Concept Car of the Year.

Registration for the day-long program is $250 for professionals and $99 for students. Tickets are $150 each for the dinner program only. Visit www.autoweek.com for additional information and to register online. Information is also available by contacting Shauna Vercher-Morrow at 313-446-0485 or svercher-morrow@crain.com