Society of Automotive Analysts Presents 'Up Close & Personal' Networking Breakfast with Micki Maynard, Author of THE END OF DETROIT

DETROIT, Oct. 8, 2003 -- The Society of Automotive Analysts (SAA) welcomes author and New York Times reporter MICHELINE MAYNARD to another in its series of Networking Breakfasts on Wednesday, October 22, 2003, at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan.

In her new book, "Micki" Maynard predicts that one or more of Detroit's Big Three may no longer exist in their present form by the end of this decade. The full title of her book -- released just two weeks ago -- is actually THE END OF DETROIT: How the Big Three Lost Their Grip on the American Car Market.

Throughout the twentieth century, the American automobile makers basked in their position as the country's most important industry. But the dominance that Detroit's Big Three companies enjoyed for so long is no more. Foreign car manufacturers are rapidly gaining ground on General Motors, the Ford Motor Company, and Chrysler. Their challenge is very dangerous -- and Maynard blows the lid off the American automotive industry in this new and provocative book, the first major examination of the industry in a decade.

The beautiful Automotive Hall of Fame -- located directly across from Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn -- is the perfect venue for this meeting. The event begins at 7:30am with a networking session and continental breakfast, followed by Maynard's comments at 8:00am. The program will include a Q&A session, and conclude by 9:15am. Event cost is $20 for SAA members, $30 for non-members.

For additional information, contact SAA headquarters at 734.677.3518; fax 734.677.2407; e-mail to info@cybersaa.org, or visit the SAA website at www.cybersaa.org which includes a secure on-line registration process.

The Society of Automotive Analysts is dedicated to providing outstanding educational programs and superior networking opportunities to its members. SAA offers conferences, programs, its website and other forums in which to discuss, debate, and learn about a broad variety of subjects and timely industry issues.