Industry Heavy-hitters Address Key Automotive Issues at AIAG AutoTech 2005

DETROIT, June 13 -- The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) announced today a diverse and prestigious list of speakers at AIAG's first annual Industry Leadership Conference on Monday, Aug. 29, 2005, kicking off its 18th annual AutoTech conference. AIAG AutoTech 2005 will run Monday, Aug. 29 - Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005 at the Cobo Center in Detroit.

Automotive heavyweights will offer their valuable insight on key issues, concerns and trends impacting the global supply chain. With a full day of presentations, the AIAG Industry Leadership Conference will feature:

  *  Tom W. LaSorda, chief operating officer, DaimlerChrysler Corp. -
     "Tough Times, Tough Choices:  Forging a New Model for OEM-Supplier
     Relationships"
  *  Laurie Harbour-Felax, vice president, Harbour Consulting - "Emerging
     Market Threats and Their Impact on the North American Automotive
     Industry"
  *  Dr. Won Suk Cho, president, Hyundai Kia America Technical Center, Inc.
     - "Hyundai: Targeting Global Leadership in Quality"
  *  Osamu "Simon" Nagata, vice president, purchasing, Toyota Motor
     Manufacturing North America, Inc. - "Supplier Relations"
  *  Wayne Xing, Ph.D., editor/publisher, China Business Update - "China's
     Automotive Market, Today and Tomorrow"
  *  General Motors Corp. Executive (TBA) - "Health Care Costs and the
     Automotive Industry"
  *  Greg Smith, executive vice president, Ford Motor Co. and president, The

     Americas - "Working Together in Challenging Times"

Sponsorship opportunities are available for each of these speaking slots at http://www.aiag.org/autotech .

The AIAG Industry Leadership Conference concludes with an executive media preview reception from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. on the exhibit floor, offering opportunities for networking and a first look at the products and services to be displayed at AIAG AutoTech 2005.

In its 18th year, AIAG AutoTech has been called the most relevant conference in the automotive industry where suppliers at all tiers receive first-hand updates on industry guidelines, standards and initiatives for reducing cost and complexity. The theme of AIAG AutoTech 2005 is "Streamlining the Industry" and exhibitors on the 52,000 sq. ft. exhibit floor will include the industry's automotive manufacturers, leading suppliers and vendors. More than 150 exhibitors and approximately 3,500 industry professionals are expected to participate in AIAG AutoTech 2005. For additional information and to register, visit http://www.aiag.org/autotech .

About AIAG

Founded in 1982, AIAG is a globally recognized organization where OEMs and suppliers unite to address and resolve issues affecting the worldwide automotive supply chain. AIAG's goals are to reduce cost and complexity through collaboration; improve product quality, health, safety and the environment; and optimize speed to market throughout the supply chain. Headquartered in the metro Detroit area, its more than 1,500 member companies include North American, European and Asia-Pacific OEMs and suppliers to the automotive industry. Additional information is available on the Internet at http://www.aiag.org/ .