Latest on Hybrid Vehicle Research, Viability, and Challenges to be Presented at SAE Symposium

COSTA MESA, Calif., Jan. 3, 2005 -- As hybrid vehicles continue to prove themselves as ecologically friendly alternatives to strictly fuel-based vehicles, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) will present the "SAE Hybrid Vehicle Technologies Symposium - Today and Tomorrow" from February 9-10 at the Hilton Costa Mesa in Costa Mesa, Ca.

This interactive, technical learning event presents the most advanced technologies in hybrid vehicle technologies to the automotive community, providing an exchange of the latest information and technological advances. With presentations by leading technical experts representing OEMs, academia, government and environmental regulatory agencies, this symposium will also help identify areas where additional progress is required to further speed hybrid acceptance by the automotive industry and consumers.

Scheduled presentations include "Hydraulic Hybrids" by John Kragul, Director, Technical Transfer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; "Building a More Energy Efficient SUV" by Robert P. Larsen, Director, Center for Transportation Research, Argonne National Laboratory; and "Department of Energy Strategy on Sustainable Energy" by Shelley Launey, Energy Technology Program Specialist, U.S. Department of Energy. OEM presentations on current and near-term technologies -- as well as a "futuristic" panel discussion -- are also scheduled with participation from the Toyota Technical Center, Honda R&D Company and American Honda Motor Company, and Ford Motor Company.

Fees for attending this symposium are $695 for SAE members and $795 for non-members when registering before January 21. After that date, both the member- and non-member fees increase by $100. Individuals may register for this symposium online at http://www.sae.org/hybrid (where more information is also available), via telephone at 1-877-606-7323 (1-724-776-4970 outside the U.S./Canada), or via e-mail at CustomerService@sae.org .

SAE is a non-profit engineering and scientific organization dedicated to the advancement of mobility technology to better serve humanity. Nearly 85,000 engineers and scientists who are SAE members develop technical information on all forms of self-propelled vehicles, including automobiles, aircraft, aerospace craft, trucks, buses, marine, rail and transit machinery. This information is disseminated through SAE meetings, books, electronic products and databases, technical papers, standards, reports, and professional development programs.