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Greater L.A. Auto Show Announces Keynote Speaker for 'Autos and the Environment'

3 November 1997

Robert Stempel to Deliver Keynote Speech at 'Automobiles and the Environment'

    LOS ANGELES, Nov. 3 -- Robert C. Stempel, chairman and
executive director of Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) and former chairman and
CEO of General Motors, has been confirmed as the keynote speaker for the
inaugural Automobiles and the Environment conference on December 30 at the
Greater Los Angeles Auto Show.
    Stempel will draw on his considerable engineering experience to give an
insight into the environmental challenges facing the automotive industry.
    Conference director and editor of the Green Car Journal, Ron Cogan, said
that Stempel was a natural choice to kick-off the conference.  "Most people
are familiar with his business skills, as a former head of the world's largest
company, yet he began his career in engineering and is responsible for a
number of significant environmental innovations."
    This environmental experience includes leading the development of the
catalytic converter and engines which run on unleaded fuels; improving fuel
storage systems, resulting in safer, stronger designs; participation in early
actions to reduce emissions, such as the Positive Crankcase Valve (PCV), which
reduced unburned hydrocarbons by 30 percent; and his involvement in the world
record-setting solar race car, "Sunraycer," which led to the development of
GM's Impact electric concept car.
    Today, as head of the Troy, Mich.-based ECD and its subsidiary, Ovonic
Battery Company -- developer of the nickel hydride battery -- Stempel is
continuing to explore technological advances.

    Expert Panelists
    The conference will allow journalists and industry observers to hear
leading experts from across the automotive industry deliberate on the future
of environmental technology and the strides being made to address global
warming concerns.
    Panelists include representatives of manufacturers Chrysler, Ford, Honda,
General Motors, Toyota and Nissan.  Additional participants are from the
California Natural Gas Vehicle Association, California Renewable Fuels
Council, Maxwell Technologies, Rosen Motors, Western States Petroleum
Association and Unique Mobility.

    Themed Sessions Allow In-Depth Discussion
    Automobiles and the Environment is divided into three individual sessions
-- Electric Vehicles, Hybrid Electric Vehicles and Clean Fuel Vehicles and
Infrastructure -- all dedicated to exploring breakthroughs in electric and
alternative fuel technology.
    The sessions will be overseen by moderators who will steer the discussion
towards technology and away from regulation and political agendas.  Bob
Hayden, executive director of the Electric Vehicle Association of the
Americas, will be responsible for the Electric and Hybrid Electric sessions,
while Ron Cogan will serve as moderator for Clean Fuel Vehicles and
Infrastructure.
    Media Days for the 1998 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show will be on
December 29 and 30, 1997, followed by public days from January 2 to 11, 1998.
Automobiles and the Environment is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on
Tuesday, December 30.

SOURCE  Greater L.A. Auto Show