SAE-ARi Hosts Trip for Tier One Automotive Supplier Executives to Tour CU-ICAR Campus and BMW Facility in South Carolina

DETROIT, May 14, 2009 As a part of its commitment to drive innovation and forge new relationships in the automotive industry, SAE International's Automotive Resources Institute (SAE-ARi) today will host a trip to South Carolina that allows Detroit auto execs to tour the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR), an advanced-technology automotive research campus, as well as visiting BMW Manufacturing Co., the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes.

This by-invitation-only event was open to SAE-ARi's "CEO Circle of Friends," a high-level network of senior automotive industry leaders who meet routinely for issues and topics facing the industry, in a dialogue type format, hosted by SAE-ARi.

"It's critical that we continue to pull industry leaders together for networking and idea-sharing," says Herb Everss, Director of Business Development for SAE-ARi. "This event will take us to one of the most exceptional automotive and motorsports research universities in the country. It will also allow us to tour the past, present and future of a leading auto manufacturer. I anticipate great energy from the group as they are exposed to how they can engage and collaborate in new ways with research simulation around design, development and optimization efforts." Given the ever increasing role of government in industry, CU-ICAR provides partnership opportunities for both OEM's and suppliers.