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Society of Automotive Analysts Presents its 3rd Annual STRATEGIC PLANNING SUMMIT Wednesday, August 30 in Troy, Michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Aug. 28, 2006 -- Nine of the automotive industry's top analysts and forecasters are confirmed presenters at SAA's 3rd annual STRATEGIC PLANNING SUMMIT slated for Wednesday, August 30 in Troy, Michigan at the Troy Marriott. The presenting sponsor of the event is National City Bank.

The program has been designed to bring together the leading automotive research, forecasting and consulting firms to address a wide variety of pertinent issues facing the industry today. Presenters (in order of their appearance) are:

  *  NEIL DE KOKER - Keynote Presenter
     President - Original Equipment Suppliers Association
     "Restoring Industry Profitability: We have the Pieces; Can We Complete
     the Puzzle?"
  *  TOM LIBBY
     Senior Director of Industry Analysis - J.D. Power and Associates /
     Power Information Network
     "Looking Beyond the New Vehicle purchase: Segment-Level Trading
     Patterns"
  *  LONNIE MILLER
     Director, Industry Analysis - Polk Center for Automotive Studies
     "Future Ramifications and Success Factors for Hybrid Vehicles"
  *  DR. WALTER McMANUS
     Director, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute
     "Building a North American Hybrid and Advanced Diesel Supply Chain"
  *  GARY VASILASH
     Editor-in-Chief - Automotive Design and Production Magazine
     "Future Ramifications and Success Factors for Hybrid Vehicles"
  *  KIM KORTH
     President - IRN Inc.
     "Navigating Difficult Waters: The Future of Tier One & Tier Two
     Automotive Suppliers"
  *  MIKE JACKSON
     Director of North American Vehicle Forecasting - CSM Worldwide
     "North American Production Landscape: Does the Outlook Offer More Risk
     or Reward?"
  *  GLENN MERCER
     Glenn Mercer Automotive Consulting, LLC
     "Detroit's Dilemma: Constrained Today by Yesterday's Choices -- A
     Qualitative Outlook for North American OEMs"
  *  GEORGE MAGLIANO
     Director, Automotive Industry Research - Global Insight
     "2007 and Beyond - The US Auto Industry in Transition"

The "Summit" begins at 7:00 a.m. with a networking breakfast, then the program running from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Registration for the event is available online at SAA's website -- http://www.cybersaa.org/ . Event fee is $149 for SAA members. Non-member rate is $225, and includes a one-year membership in the society (normally $125). Working Media are welcome to attend at no charge. Breakfast, lunch and breaks are included. Contact SAA at 734/677-3518 with any questions.

The Troy Marriott is located in Troy at 200 West Square Lake Road, just east of I-75.

For additional information, contact SAA headquarters at 734/677-3518 or 800/704-0051; fax 734/677-2407; e-mail to info@cybersaa.org ; or visit the SAA website at http://www.cybersaa.org/ which includes online registration.

The Society of Automotive Analysts is dedicated to providing outstanding educational programs and superior networking opportunities to its members. SAA offers conferences, programs, its website and other forums in which to discuss, debate, and learn about a broad variety of subjects and timely industry issues.