SAE Foundation Honors Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda With 2005 Manufacturing Leadership Award

TROY, Mich., May 24, 2005 -- The SAE Foundation Banquet hosted more than 700 attendees who gathered at Renaissance Center Wintergarden in Detroit to pay tribute to Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda, Honorary Chairman, Toyota Motor Corporation, the recipient of the 2005 Manufacturing Leadership Award presented this evening.

The Manufacturing Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have made meaningful contributions to the development of the automobile, truck, or automotive industry. Dr. Toyoda traveled from Japan to accept the award. Also in attendance were Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, Former Senator and Ambassador to Japan Howard H. Baker, and many corporate chairmen, presidents and CEOs including Chairman and CEO of General Motors Corporation G. Richard Wagoner, Jr., Chairman, CEO & President of Delphi Corporation J. T. Battenberg, III, CEO of ArvinMeritor Chip McClure, President of Toyota North America Harry Otako.

In addition to the Manufacturing Leadership Award, five other awards were presented this evening.

   - Lifetime Achievement Award - John F. (Jack) Smith, retired Chairman and
     CEO, General Motors Corporation
   - Industry Achievement Award - Ford Motor Company - accepted by Roman
     Krygier, Vice President, Manufacturing and Quality, Ford Motor Company
   - SAE Foundation/NABAS Achievement Award - George H. Hill, President,
     Diversified Chemical Technologies
   - Donald W. Ableson Award for Visionary Leadership - Fred Nader,
     President, Autotech Technology Development
   - Heinz C. Prechter Award for Automotive Excellence - Eric Ceresnie, a
     graduate student at the University of Michigan

The SAE Foundation Banquet benefits SAE educational programs for students in elementary, middle and high school s well as college and beyond.

The SAE Foundation

The SAE Foundation was established in 1986 and exists to develop and fund programs and incentives that foster student entry into and completion of engineering, scientific, and technical education. Two major programs funded through the SAE Foundation are A World In Motion(R) and The Collegiate Design Series. A World In Motion(R) is implemented in schools in all 50 states as well as throughout Canada. The Collegiate Design Series is a global program in colleges and universities.