Media Alert & Photo Opportunities: AIAG Hosts AutoTech 2005 Conference

DETROIT, Aug. 22 -- The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) will hold its annual AIAG AutoTech 2005 conference from Aug. 29, 2005 - Sept. 1, 2005 featuring a comprehensive program united by the theme "Streamlining the Industry."

  (Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050425/DEM022ZLOGO
   http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040719/DEM007LOGO )

WHO: Top automotive executives and other key industry experts will present ideas, plans, perspectives, technologies and tools for simplifying automotive and business processes to improve the performance of the supply chain.

  Monday, Aug. 29, 2005

  9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Tough Times, Tough Choices: Forging a New Model for OEM-Supplier Relationships

Tom W. LaSorda, chief operating officer, DaimlerChrysler Corp. (CEO, Chrysler Group, effective Sept. 1, 2005)

10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Emerging Market Threats and Their Impact on the North American Automotive Industry

  Laurie Harbour-Felax, vice president, Harbour Consulting

  11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
  Hyundai: Targeting Global Leadership in Quality
  Dr. Won Suk Cho, president, Hyundai Kia America Technical Center

  12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  Supplier Relations

James M. Wiseman, vice president for corporate affairs, Toyota Motor Manufacturing N.A., Inc.

  1:15 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  China's Automotive Market: Today and Tomorrow
  Wayne Xing, Ph.D., editor/publisher, China Business Update

  2:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  How We All Need to Improve the U.S. Health Care Delivery System
  Robert Moroni, director of health care plans, General Motors Corp.

  3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
  Working Together in Challenging Times

Greg Smith, executive vice president, Ford Motor Co. and president, The Americas

  Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005

  8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
  Panel and Q&A:  Product Creation: Taking Time Out
  Product engineering executives from DaimlerChrysler, Ford, GM and Toyota

  12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
  Driving Productivity Gains in the Post Technology Era
  Tony Friscia, president and CEO, AMR Research

  Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005

  8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
  Panel and Q&A:  Quality in the Modular World
  Quality executives from DaimlerChrysler, Ford, GM and Toyota

  12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Today's Automotive Industry Challenges and the Information Technology Response

Karenann Terrell, vice president and chief information officer, Chrysler Group and Mercedes-Benz NAFTA

  WHERE:  Cobo Conference Center, Detroit

  WHEN:  Aug. 29 - Sept. 1, 2005

PRESS REGISTRATION: Media interested in attending may apply for press credentials in the AutoTech press room at http://www.aiag.org/autotech .

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/ .

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050425/DEM022ZLOGO
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040719/DEM007LOGO
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com