11th Annual Auto Interiors Show Opens Today at Cobo Center

DETROIT, May 19 -- More than 5,500 automotive executives have registered for one of the industry's most important expositions and conferences, the 11th annual Auto Interiors Show, which opened today (Wednesday, May 19, 2004) 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)

  Today at Noon:
  Car & Truck "Interior of the Year" Winners Announced

At noon today, the winners of the annual "Car Interior of the Year," "Truck Interior of the Year," and new this year, winner of the "Navigation System of the Year" will be announced with automaker executives attending. Voting was done by the more than 5,500 industry executives who registered to attend the show. The winner of each category will be announced at a special ceremony on the show floor today 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

  12:30 & 2:30 p.m. Today:
  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 12:30 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.

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.

  A complete conference schedule follows:

  Auto Interiors Conference & Activities 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 10a - 4p

  Conferences & Activities: Room D2-15 unless otherwise noted

  8:30-10:00a     Interior Product Creation - Consumer Satisfaction and
                  Technical Execution Considerations
                  Chance Parker, Executive Director, J.D. Power and
                  Associates
  10:30a-12:00p   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
  12:30-2:00p     OEM Panel: Concept to Reality - Nissan's Creative
                  Turnaround
                  Robert Bauer, Designer, Nissan Design America
  2:30-4:00p      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

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

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

  Conferences: Room D2-15

  8:30- 10:00a    Craftsmanship: Global Interior Innovation & Quality from
                  Concept to Delivery
                  Albert Faraj, Director of Product Strategy and Planning,
                  Visteon
  10:30-12:00p    The Future of Technology in the Vehicle
                  Peter Wengert, Product Marketing Manager, Microsoft Corp
  12:30-2:00p     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