Winning Business Models Are Focus of 28th Automotive News World Congress Jan. 12 - 15, 2004

DETROIT, Nov. 10, 2003 -- The steps automakers, suppliers and dealers must take to win in today's market -- and what it will take tomorrow

-- is the focus of the 2004 Automotive News World Congress, Monday - Thursday, Jan. 12 - 15 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dearborn, Mich.

Nearly three dozen industry leaders will address After the Shakeout: Why Winners Win, spotlighting the strong, sometimes innovative, business models of companies that have survived and thrived despite the U.S. economy's downturn and cost pressures driven by competition and pricey retail incentives.

The Automotive News World Congress, sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers and IBM, features individual morning addresses, afternoon panel presentations and keynote dinner speakers. Sharing their insights during the event's evening programs will be:

   --   Gary L. Cowger, GM Group vice president, president GM North America,
        General Motors

   --   Ron Gettelfinger, president, UAW

   --   Allan Gilmour, vice chairman, Ford Motor Company

   --   Peter Horbury, director of design, Premier Automotive Group

   --   Kathleen Ligocki, president and CEO, Tower Automotive Inc.

   --   Dr. Helmut Panke, chairman of the Board of Management, BMW AG

A sneak preview of the Ford Rouge Factory Tour -- including the visitor center, the Art of Manufacturing Theatre and a trip to the observation deck for a panoramic view of the 10 acre "living roof" -- will open the event Jan. 12. Participants will also tour the North American International Auto Show Jan. 15, which runs concurrently with the Congress.

Top executives from the manufacturing and supplier sectors participating in the afternoon panel presentations will address such pressing industry issues as:

   --   Winning Retail Opportunities -- Escalating incentives and other
        marketing costs are creating razor-thin profit margins on new
        vehicles.  Smart dealers are utilizing customer relationship
        management tools and emphasizing other profit centers such as
        finance and insurance, telematics, certified used vehicles and
        aftermarket parts sales to boost profits.  The discussion will
        highlight what business models work, how they work and what's next.

   --   Global Purchasing and Emerging Markets -- Competitive cost pressures
        are forcing some automakers to shop abroad for parts, even as they
        seek new business overseas in emerging markets.  Their suppliers are
        moving overseas with them, learning in the process how to manage
        costs in their own supply chains.  The presentation will outline
        processes that work, what it takes to do business in emerging
        markets, such as China, and what's the next "big thing" to help win
        new business.

   --   Powertrains of the Future -- From gasoline-electric hybrids to
        hydrogen-powered fuel cells and new diesel engines, contenders are
        lining up to replace the traditional gasoline engine.  These
        technologies present a variety of development and marketing options
        and challenges to automakers, suppliers and consumers.  The session
        will delve into new technologies, identify those most likely to
        succeed and other options in the pipeline.

   --   Remarketing: Profits in an Era of Incentives -- With the declining
        value of used-cars and off-lease vehicle residuals, dealers are
        developing new avenues, such as certified used vehicles and creative
        financing, to bolster profitability.  The discussion will revolve
        around what's new, what works and what's next.

Highlighting the Congress' Jan. 14 Gala Dinner will be the presentation of the annual Automotive News/Pricewaterhouse Coopers Shareholder Value Awards to manufacturers, suppliers and retailers.

The early-bird registration fee for all four days of the Automotive News World Congress is $1,295 by Nov. 26. The registration fee is $1,495 after Nov. 26 and the daily rate is $695. Online registration is available at www.autonews.com/anEvents.cms. For a complete agenda, or to register, contact the Center for Automotive Research by phone at 866-374-6227 (U.S. only) or via e-mail at kshears@cargroup.org.

           Additional industry leaders scheduled to address the
                   2004 Automotive News World Congress
                          (as of Nov. 10, 2003)

  Individual Presenters

   --   Peter Butterfield, president and CEO, Kia Motors America Inc.
   --   Gary Dilts, senior vice president sales, Chrysler Group
   --   Michael J. Dunne, president, Automotive Resources Asia
   --   Stephen Girsky, managing director, Morgan Stanley
   --   Finbarr J. O'Neill, CEO and co-chairman, Mitsubishi Motors
        North America
   --   Emil Hassan, senior vice president, North American Manufacturing,
        Nissan North America Inc.
   --   Gerd Klauss, president and CEO, Volkswagen of America
   --   Mark LaNeve, general manager, Cadillac, General Motors

  Panelists

   --   Winning Retail Opportunities
      --     Will Churchill, co-team owner, Frank Kent's Pit Stop
      --     Ray Fisher, vice president, Fleet & Remarketing, Chrysler Group
      --     John Mendel, executive vice president and COO, Mazda
             North American Operations
      --     Hugh Panero, president and CEO, XM Satellite Radio
      --     Lloyd G. "Buzz" Waterhouse, CEO, chairman and president,
             The Reynolds and Reynolds Company

   --   Global Purchasing and Emerging Markets
      --     Michael J. Dunne, president, Automotive Resources Asia
      --     Jonathan Maples, vice president, Qualities and Materials
             Management, Visteon Corporation
      --     Dave Nelson, vice president, Global Supply Management,
             Delphi Corporation
      --     Osamu "Simon" Nagata, vice president of purchasing, Toyota
             Motor Manufacturing North America Inc.
      --     John F. (Jack) Perkowski, chairman and CEO, ASIMCO

   --   Remarketing:  Profits in an Era of Incentives
      --     Sidney B. DeBoer, chairman and CEO, Lithia Motors, Inc.
      --     Victor H. Doolan, president and CEO, Volvo Cars of
             North America Inc.
      --     Dean Eisner, president and CEO, Manheim Auctions
      --     Austin Ligon, president and CEO, CarMax
      --     Raj Sundaram, president, Automotive Lease Guide

   --   Powertrains of the Future
      --     Sue Cischke, vice president, Environmental & Safety
             Engineering, Ford Motor Company
      --     David Friedman, research director, Clean Vehicles Program,
             Union of Concerned Scientists
      --     Dr. Friedrich "Fritz" Indra, executive director, Advanced
             Engineering GM Powertrain, General Motors
      --     Kurt Liedtke, chairman, president and CEO, Robert Bosch
             Corporation
      --     Rodney O'Neal, president, Dynamics, Propulsion and Thermal
             Sector, Delphi Corporation