Tom LaSorda and Greg Smith Bookend AIAG Industry Leadership Conference

DETROIT, Aug. 23, 2005 -- Tom LaSorda, COO, Chrysler Group (CEO, Chrysler Group, effective Sept. 1, 2005) and Greg Smith, executive vice president, Ford Motor Co. and president, The Americas, bookend the Automotive Industry Action Group's (AIAG) Industry Leadership Conference, with five other industry heavyweights in between, which kicks off AIAG AutoTech 2005. LaSorda will address OEM-supplier relationships at 9:15 a.m. and Smith will present working together in challenging times at 3:00 p.m.

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Debuting on Aug. 29, 2005 at Detroit's Cobo Center, AIAG's Industry Leadership Conference gathers industry heavyweights with other automotive executives to hear about today's most challenging issues in the industry. Other speakers include:

* 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"

* James Wiseman, vice president for corporate affairs, Toyota Motor Manufacturing N.A., Inc. -- "Supplier Relations"

* Wayne W.J. Xing, Ph.D., editor/publisher, China Business Update -- "China's Automotive Market: Today and Tomorrow"

* Robert D. Moroni, director of health care plans, General Motors Corp. -- "How We All Need to Help Improve the U.S. Health Care Delivery System"

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 100 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/ .

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