Society of Automotive Analysts Announces Preliminary Speaker Lineup for Its 2005 Automotive Outlook Conference

DETROIT, Nov. 16, 2004 -- The Society of Automotive Analysts (SAA) -- in partnership with WJR Radio (760AM) -- will present its 17th annual Automotive Outlook Conference Tuesday, January 11, 2005 in conjunction with the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The theme of this year's conference is "Survival in the Auto Industry: What's It Going To Take?".

SAA President Craig Cather (CSM Worldwide) notes that "powerful market forces are squeezing the domestic auto industry: high costs and shortages of raw materials, huge legacy costs for healthcare and pensions, continuing loss of market share, OEMs' demands for lower prices from suppliers and expectations that they participate in warranty and product development costs, falling prices for used vehicles, competition from foreign automakers and low- cost offshore suppliers -- all while consumers expect greater quality, comfort, economy and safety -- and Wall Street demands better stock performance from both OEMs and suppliers.

"Where will it end? A recent study noted that 20,000 of the 30,000 suppliers in business in 1990 had disappeared by 2000, another 2,000 have since gone by the wayside, and still another 4,000 suppliers will evaporate by 2010.

"And what about the domestic vehicle manufacturers? More new models from both domestic and offshore automakers are flooding the market, with offshore manufacturers moving aggressively into traditional domestic market strongholds and taking market share.

"How will it all shakeout? What are the strategies that domestic suppliers and automakers will need to adopt? And who will the survivors be?"

Confirmed presenters include ...

KATHLEEN LIGOCKI , President & CEO of Tower Automotive; former V/P at Ford Customer Service Division, Ford V/P of Strategy & Business Development - Canada & Mexico, and President & CEO of Ford Mexico.

MICHAEL BRUYNESTEYN, Senior Vice President and Senior Autos & Auto Parts Analyst at Prudential Equity Group, LLC; former head of General Motors' Investor Relations worldwide.

JOHN HENKE, JR, PhD, President of Planning Perspectives Inc., and Professor of Marketing in the School of Business Administration at Oakland University (Rochester, MI).

CHIEF ECONOMISTS FROM THE U.S. BIG 3 - Ellen Hughes-Cromwick (Ford Motor Company), Mustafa Mohatarem (General Motors) and Van Jollisaint (DaimlerChrysler).

Additional panelists and speakers will include several manufacturing executives, leading industry analysts, forecasters and financial consultants.

Conference registration includes a continental breakfast and keynote luncheon, plus a FREE Analyst Pass to the North American International Auto Show during Press Week -- good from Sunday, January 9 thru Thursday, January 13.

The conference will run from 8:00 a.m. to approx 2:00 p.m. at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit. Complimentary shuttle service is provided by NAIAS between the Marriott and Cobo Center where the auto show is staged. Secure on-line registration now available at http://www.cybersaa.org/ .

For additional information, contact SAA headquarters at 800/704-0051; fax 734/677-2407; e-mail to info@cybersaa.org , or visit the SAA website at http://www.cybersaa.org/ which includes secure on-line registration.

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.