Society of Automotive Analysts' Spring Conference Attracting Key Industry Representatives

13 May 1998
Society of Automotive Analysts' Spring Conference Attracting Key Industry Representatives

    GLENVIEW, Ill., May 13 -- The Society of Automotive Analysts
(SAA) is preparing to kick-off their 1998 Spring Conference on Wednesday, June
3 in Atlanta, Georgia at the Airport Hilton.  The theme "The Automotive
Retailing Revolution ... Winner's and Loser's" reflects the meeting's focus on
addressing issues that most challenge today's dynamic automotive retailing
arena.
    "Whether a retailer, manufacturer or supplier, this conference is a must
for anyone directly or indirectly involved in the automotive industry,"
according to James Mateyka, Vice President, Automotive Industry Practice at
A.T. Kearney.  Mateyka will launch the one day program by presenting a report
conducted by University of Michigan/A.T. Kearney on projected changes in the
automotive retailing over the next ten years.  Other highlights of the meeting
include a luncheon presentation on the success of Saturn by Joel Manby,
President of Saab USA, Inc. and an engaging closing debate.
    Views and strategies on both the traditional automotive retailer and the
new player will be addressed by proponents of each view throughout the
conference.  Two separate panels of key industry representatives will discuss
opposing opinions and tactics.  The perspective of innovative retailers
changing the automotive marketplace will be presented by W. Austin Ligon,
president of CarMax Auto Superstores Inc. Steven Berrard, co-CEO of Republic
Industries, and Mark Lorimer CEO of Auto-by-Tel Marketing Corp.  Traditional
retailers viewpoints and their approaches to adjust to the changing market
will be raised by Jim Schroer, of Ford Motor Company, Sandy Derickson,
President of GE Automotive Financial, Tom Webb, Chief Economist for the
National Auto Dealers Association and Don Keithy, Executive Vice President
Business Development for Capitol Automotive REIT.
    A deliberation between two independent industry analysts taking positions
on either side of the new or traditional automotive dealer will end the
meeting.  Jordan Hymowitz, Vice President of BancAmerica will represent the
"new player" while Jim Callahan, Senior Analyst of the Dohring Company will
take the traditional stance.
    For more information about SAA's Spring conference, contact SAA at
847-375-4722.
    The Society of Automotive Analysts is a professional association comprised
of more than 500 industry analysts.  The organization's mission is to be the
leading organization providing access to candid opinions and analyses of the
global automotive industry.

SOURCE  The Society of Automotive Analysts