11th Annual Auto Interiors Show Runs May 19-20 at Cobo Center

Special OEM Interior Panels May 19, 2004

DETROIT, May 17 -- More than 5,400 automotive executives have registered for one of the industry's most important expositions and conferences, the 11th annual Auto Interiors Show, which opens Wednesday (May 19) for a two-day run at Detroit's Cobo Center.

The Exposition will feature 120 of the industry's leading suppliers who will be exhibiting materials, services, components and modules at this year's show. In addition, a full range of in-depth conferences is planned for professional development. (see schedule below)

Two Special OEM Panels (Room D2-15)

Special this year will be two panels featuring the lead designers from Nissan, Ford and General Motors. The two sessions will be Wednesday, starting at 1 p.m. with Nissan's Robert Bauer. This will be followed at 2:30 p.m. with the duo of Ford's Marek Reichman and GM's Dave Rand. A special reception for all Show attendees will follow these conferences and will begin at 4 p.m.

  Car & Truck "Interior of the Year" Winners; Nav System Of The Year to be
   Announced

Another feature of the show will be the announcement of the "Car Interior of the Year," "Truck Interior of the Year," and new this year, winner of the "Navigation System of the Year." Voting was done by the more than 5,000 industry executives who registered to attend the show. The winner of each category will be announced at a special ceremony on the show floor Wednesday, May 19 at noon. This year's finalists include the following vehicles:

   Car Make/Model               Truck Make/Model          Nav System
   Cadillac XLR                 BMW X3                    BMW X3
   Chevrolet Malibu Maxx LT     Chevrolet SSR             Cadillac XLR
   Chrysler Crossfire           Dodge Durango Limited     Mazda RX-8
   Mazda RX-8                   Ford F-150                Nissan Armada
   Toyota Solara SLE            Nissan Armada             Toyota Solara SLE

  Auto Interiors Conference & Activity Schedule

Rounding out the Show will be a full two-day conference program featuring seminars by top interior designers and other professionals from OEMs, research firms, Tier 1 and key technology companies. The full schedule is as follows:

                     AUTO INTERIOR SHOW - COBO CENTER
                 EXHIBIT, CONFERENCE & ACTIVITY SCHEDULE

  WEDNESDAY, May 19, 2004:  Exhibit floor open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

  Conferences & Activities: Room D2-15 unless otherwise noted

8:30-10:00 a.m. Interior Product Creation -- Consumer Satisfaction and Technical Execution Considerations

Chance Parker, Executive Director, J.D. Power and Associates

10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Interior Trends - a Multi-Generational Comparison

Robert Hubert, Exec. Director, Industrial Design, Johnson Controls, Inc.

  Noon:  Car & Truck Interior of the Year, Navigation System of the Year
         Presentations on the SHOW FLOOR

12:30-2:00 p.m. OEM Panel: Concept to Reality - Nissan's Creative Turnaround

Robert Bauer, Designer, Nissan Design America

2:30-4:00 p.m. OEM Panel: Automakers' Plans for the Future of Auto Interiors

"Presented by WJR, 3M Automotive Interiors, Society of Automotive Analysts"

Marek Reichman, Director of Interior Strategy, Product and Design Process, Ford Motor Company

David Rand, Executive Director, Design, Interiors, Quality and Brand Character, General Motors

  4:00-6:00 p.m.  Mixer Reception for attendees, Room D2-08

  THURSDAY, May 20, 2004:  Exhibits open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

  Conferences: Room D2-15

8:30- 10:00 a.m. Craftsmanship: Global Interior Innovation & Quality from Concept to Delivery

Albert Faraj, Director of Product Strategy and Planning, Visteon

  10:30-12:00 p.m.  The Future of Technology in the Vehicle
                    Peter Wengert, Product Marketing Manager, Microsoft Corp

  12:30-2:00 p.m.  Color Point of View: Trends That Shape Our Perceptions

Jane Gillett, Design Resource Manager, Transportation Flooring, INVISTA Inc.

2:30-4:00p From Research to the End-Consumer through Design & Execution

                Russ Shafer Director Interior Industrial Design, Intier

  Hours & Registration

Show hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 19 and 20. For exhibitor and registration information, go to www.autointeriors.com ; or phone 800-933-8735. Press room: 313-393-4001.