World Research Group's New Conference to Explore Designing and Marketing ''Superstar'' Engines

DETROIT--Feb. 2, 20055, 2005--Designing and marketing engines that tomorrow's consumers will demand is the topic of the newly announced "WARD'S POWERTRAIN MARKETING CONGRESS" scheduled for June 7-8, 2005 at the Ritz-Carlton in Dearborn, MI.

The event features a powerful line-up of leading marketers and engineers from the powertrain community. It is the first of its kind for the automotive industry.

The WARD'S POWERTRAIN MARKETING CONGRESS is organized by the Ward's Automotive Group of Southfield, MI and the World Research Group of New York, NY.

The conference will examine the success of recent "superstar" engines like DaimlerChrysler's heavily promoted HEMI, while promoting out-of-the-box thinking to help manufacturers gain competitive advantage through their future powertrain programs.

The Ward's Automotive Group, which annually recognizes the industry's most outstanding powertrain programs with its Ward's Ten Best Engines awards, recognized a need to help manufacturers fully appreciate the sales and market share gains they could realize if they integrate innovative marketing and design ideas at an engine's early stages. The event's premise is simple yet powerful: While an engine is a vehicle's most expensive component, it is also the manufacturer's main proprietary element and represents a powerful platform on which to build brand differentiation and market share.

Chaired by Ward's AutoWorld Editor-in-Chief Drew Winter, and moderated by Bill Visnic, Ward's powertrain editor, the WARD'S POWERTRAIN MARKETING CONGRESS will present a dynamic roster of speakers, which to date includes:

- David Szczupak, VP Powertrain Operations - Ford Motor Company

- David Hermance, Executive Engineer, Environment and Emissions - Toyota

- Len Hunt, Executive Vice President - VW of America

- Richard Brekus, Manager product Planning and Strategy - BMW

- Mary Ann Wright, Hybrid Programs and Sustainable Mobility Technologies - Ford Motor Company

- Alan Lloyd, Secretary - CalEPA

- Ron Harbour, President - Harbour Consulting

- Bob Leidich, Manager Regulatory Affairs - BP

- David Martin, President - Interbrand North America

- Dr. Garel Rhys, Director of the Center for Automotive Industry Research, University of Cardiff, Wales

The WARD'S POWERTRAIN MARKETING CONGRESS agenda will deliver hands-on strategies that attendees -- powertrain engineering, market strategy and brand management executives from the auto manufacturers, leading suppliers and marketing service providers -- can take away and implement immediately.

About the Ward's Automotive Group

The Ward's Automotive Group is a world-leading provider of auto industry news, data and analysis, having served the industry's information needs for more than 80 years. Ward's many editorial and data products include: Ward's AutoWorld - monthly magazine serving more than 68,000 automotive professionals globally; Ward's Engine & Vehicle Technology Update - twice-monthly newsletter of analysis of engineering advancements and technical issues; and WardsAuto.com - online subscription service delivering virtually all the industry news, data and analysis compiled by Ward's, the world's leader in automotive industry information. Part of PRIMEDIA's Business Information Division, the Ward's Automotive Group is based in Southfield, MI. More information can be found at www.wardsauto.com.

For more information on the Powertrain Marketing Congress, please contact Covington Brown / c.brown@worldrg.com or visit www.worldrg.com/powertrain

For more information about the Ward's automotive group, please contact Chris Lamphear / clamphear@primediabusiness.com or visit http://www.wardsauto.com.