Creative Financial Solutions Focus of Automotive Industry Seminar

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 12, 2006 -- Key investment firm representatives and automotive industry experts will discuss creative financial solutions for the traditional North American automotive industry at the Supplier Challenges, Investor Opportunities conference, October 24-25, 2006 at the Ritz Carlton, Dearborn. Sponsored by the Center for Automotive Research (CAR), an Ann Arbor-based research organization, the conference will bring together suppliers and members of the financial community to examine what characteristics will likely merge from the current restructuring -- and identify financial models and strategies that may guide the industry in the coming decade.

Dave Cole, chairman, CAR will moderate the dinner and Wednesday morning sessions. Stefano Aversa, managing director and COO, AlixPartners LLC and Daniel Howes, columnist with the Detroit News, Booth Newspapers, will address the conference as the keynote speakers at a dinner session, October 24th. The October 25 morning session will create a vision of the restructured industry with the knowledgeable perspectives of John Casesa, managing partner, Casesa Strategic Advisors LLC; Frank Macher, president and CEO, Collins & Aikman; Sean McAlinden, vice president of research and chief economist, Center for Automotive Research; Vince Snowbarger, interim director, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; and Tom Stallkamp, industrial partner, Ripplewood Holdings

The program will conclude with a look at two of the automotive sectors facing critical decisions: the tool & die and stamping sector and automotive interiors.

Visit the CAR website (www.cargroup.org) for registration information or call 734/662-1287. Accommodations are available at the Ritz Carlton, at the reduced conference rate, until October 16.

About CAR

The purpose of CAR is to conduct research on significant issues related to the future direction of the global automotive industry, as well as organize and present forums of value to the automotive community. For more information, visit www.cargroup.org.