Diesels and Their Future in the U.S. is Topic of Inaugural SAE Executive Management Briefing

TROY, Mich., April 15 -- While it is known that diesel- powered cars and light trucks can achieve 20-30% better fuel economy than their gasoline powered equivalents, future government regulations and low fuel prices have combined to keep them nearly invisible in the U.S. to date. A lot of discussion has swirled around the U.S. and Japan about fuel cells and hybrid electric vehicle technology as keys to increased fuel efficiency in the future, but many European manufacturers and customers see modern diesel technology as the "here and now" solution.

A blue ribbon panel of executives will convene at Michigan State University's Management Education Center in Troy, Michigan on May 28 to discuss and debate these complex issues in depth at an SAE Executive Management Briefing entitled "Diesels and Their Future in the U.S."

Diesel automobiles are quite popular in Europe -- in fact, one out of every three cars sold there today is diesel-powered. Modern diesel engines emit measurably less CO2 than gasoline powered engines, and the Europeans have embraced diesel technology as one of their preferred methods of cutting so-called "greenhouse gas" emissions. Few models are even available in the U.S., and looming air quality regulations threaten to keep them out of the marketplace here.

This informative all-day meeting will feature a morning panel on technical and regulatory challenges to making diesels viable in the U.S. This panel will be moderated by John McElroy of WWJ Newsradio and host of public television's AutoLine Detroit show. Panelists include Patrick Charbonneau, Vice President of Engine Engineering, International Truck and Engine Corporation; John Sanderson, President and CEO, Siemens VDO Automotive; Graham Hoare, Director of Powertrain Research and Development, Ford Motor Company; and Jason Mark, Program Director, Clean Vehicles Program, Union of Concerned Scientists (Invited).

The afternoon panel will focus on the market drivers surrounding sales of diesel cars and light trucks in the huge U.S. market. Jeff Gilbert, veteran WWJ Newsradio personality and host of Car Chronicles will moderate this session, whose members include Kenneth Moriarty, Executive Director, Corporate Strategy and Coordination, Volkswagen of America, Inc.; D. Duane Gilliam, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC, (and Chairman, National Petrochemical & Refiners Association); John Moulton, President, Powertrain Division, Robert Bosch Corporation; and Walter S. McManus, Executive Director, Global Forecasting, JD Powers and Associates.

A breakfast keynote on regulatory implications by a representative from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and a luncheon keynote "State of the Diesel Industry Worldwide" from Jim Weidenbach, Manager, Small Powertrain Diesel, DaimlerChrysler Corporation should provide stimulating mealtime discussion. A networking reception will follow the day's events from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Registration is $595 for the full day event, meals included, if registration is received prior to May 16. Registration after May 16 will be $695.

SAE Executive Management Briefings are one-day events designed to address the "hard issues" facing the industry -- issues that require industry cooperation and synergy to resolve. The format focuses on bringing together three critical components of any topic: Issues, leaders, and questions.

Detailed information on speakers, issues and activities related to the SAE Executive Management Briefing Diesels and Their Future in the U.S. can be found on the SAE website at http://www.sae.org/calendar/execmgt/index.htm or by calling the SAE Customer service team at 724/776-4970. Media Contact: Steve Yaeger, SAE Public Relations -- (724) 772-4068, or syaeger@sae.org.

SAE is a non-profit engineering and scientific organization dedicated to the advancement of mobility technology to better serve humanity. Nearly 84,000 engineers and scientists who are SAE members develop technical information on all forms of self-propelled vehicles, including automobiles, aircraft, aerospace craft, trucks, buses, marine, rail and transit machinery. This information is disseminated through SAE meetings, books, electronic products and databases, technical papers, standards, reports, and professional development programs.