---

U.S.-Japan-Canada Automotive Business Conference Now

16 June 1998

U.S.-Japan-Canada Automotive Business Conference Takes Place in Michigan, Reports Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association

    DEARBORN, Mich., June 16 -- The Motor & Equipment
Manufacturers Association (MEMA), Japan Auto Parts Industries Association
(JAPIA), Auto Parts Manufacturers' Association (APMA) of Canada, and American
State Offices Association (ASOA) of Japan are holding their third U.S.-
Japan-Canada Automotive Business Conference (USJAC) in Dearborn, Michigan,
June 15 to June 17, 1998.  The conference objective is to provide a forum for
private company-to-company business development meetings among North American
and Japanese-based automotive suppliers.
    At USJAC '98, 22 U.S. and Canadian automotive parts manufacturers are
meeting in private sessions with representatives of 26 first-tier Japanese
suppliers and their North American subsidiaries and affiliates.  More than 175
such meetings are scheduled during the conference, which began with opening
statements from the chairmen of MEMA and JAPIA and the president of the APMA.
USJAC '98 is the third meeting of its kind aimed at increasing U.S. automotive
parts suppliers' sales to Japanese suppliers and their North American
affiliates.  The conference has been developed as a result of ongoing dialogue
and cooperation among MEMA, APMA and JAPIA.
    William Grote, chairman of MEMA and president of Grote Industries, opened
USJAC '98 with a speech highlighting the importance for suppliers to adopt a
global vision that "reflects the strategic direction and investment programs
of motor vehicle assemblers around the world."  Grote added, "For small and
mid-size suppliers, strategic alliances and technological cooperation offer
important means to project their specialized capabilities into international
markets while maintaining their primary national or regional manufacturing
focus."
    Tsuneo Ishimaru, the new chairman of JAPIA and chairman of Denso
Corporation, reinforced MEMA chairman Grote's comments, emphasizing the
continued commitment of Japanese suppliers to expanding cooperation with U.S.
and Canadian suppliers in North America and other parts of the world.
    Gerald Fedchun, president of the APMA of Canada, highlighted the efforts
of his members to develop business with Japanese industry customers at both
the first-tier supplier and vehicle assembler levels.
    Simultaneously with USJAC '98, MEMA and JAPIA held their sixth Executive
Liaison meeting.  Senior management from nine MEMA and eight JAPIA member
companies participated in the session, which addressed current industry trends
and opportunities to encourage more rapid international harmonization of motor
vehicle safety and emissions standards in a manner that enhances consumer
benefits, environmental friendliness, and future automotive supplier industry
business growth.
    MEMA and JAPIA confirmed their intent to hold their next Executive Liaison
meeting jointly with the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA)
in Frankfurt, Germany on Sept. 16, 1998, and to hold another bilateral
JAPIA-MEMA session in 1999 at a mutually convenient location.
    The Japan Auto Parts Industries Association (JAPIA) represents more than
500 Japanese suppliers of a broad range of automotive products and is based in
Tokyo, Japan.  The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA)
represents more than 700 U.S. suppliers of parts, service tools and equipment,
automotive chemicals, and related products used in the original production,
repair, and maintenance of all classes of motor vehicles.