Global Powertrain Conference Reconvenes in Detroit June 6-8
2 March 2000
Global Powertrain Conference Reconvenes in Detroit June 6-8
DETROIT, March 2 -- On June 6-8, the international automotive
powertrain community will assemble at Cobo Conference/Exhibition Center for
the third Global Powertrain Congress (GPC 2000). Over the three days of the
conference, attendees will gather in four concurrent sessions to hear more
than 100 technical presentations, and they will visit 100-125 exhibits
prepared by industry's leading suppliers of powertrain engineering components,
materials and manufacturing technology.
"This third annual Global Powertrain Congress," said Robert Welding,
president and general manager, BorgWarner Transmission Systems, "is the only
forum dedicated exclusively to the sharing of technology related to integrated
powertrain system.
"This conference is for automotive OEMs and suppliers looking to
understand the latest thinking and developments concerning the complete
powertrain system. The programs will offer information and insights for those
seeking to design and implement solutions to today's -- and tomorrow's --
powertrain challenges," said Welding.
During the GPC's four concurrent technical programs, leading automotive
powertrain experts will share the latest in engineering, materials, and
manufacturing technology. The four programs, and lead chair of each, are as
follows:
* Advanced Engine Design & Performance -- This program focuses on
optimizing engine design to maximize performance. It includes papers on fuel
intake and combustion as well as basic engineering improvements. Dr. Rodney
Rask, principal research engineer with General Motors Corporation, chairs this
program.
* Advanced Transmission/Drive Line Systems & Performance -- Improving
transmission design and efficiency is a major and continuing goal for all auto
manufacturers. Papers in this session will explore various approaches. Mr.
Joseph Scalisi, chief engineer/program manager with New Venture Gear, chairs
this program.
* Advanced Propulsion & Emissions Technology -- Traditional propulsion
systems may be unable to provide the environmentally benign vehicle consumers,
governments and industry around the world are seeking. The need for
dramatically better fuel economy and harmless emissions is driving the work
described in this program. Dr. Jean Botti, technical director of Delphi
Energy & Engine Management Systems chairs this program.
* New Materials, Assembly & Manufacturing Processes -- Ferrous materials
have long been the building block for automotive powertrains. This program
deals with changes that demands for weight and cost reduction are driving,
together with some of the assembly and manufacturing developments that are
occurring. Mr. Manfred Baaske, director of process development with Volvo Car
Corporation, will chair this program.
"As pressure mounts to improve fuel economy and reduce environmentally
harmful emissions, automotive engineers around the world have been working on
a range of ways to meet those challenges. Our research shows that more
significant than vehicle weight reduction, powertrain efficiency improvement
is the way to get there," said David Jeanes, senior vice president, American
Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
"Until now, industry focus has been on the body engineer and his effort to
reduce weight. Unfortunately, consumers equate light weight to unsafe, as
evidenced by their growing desire for larger, heavier vehicles. A significant
breakthrough in powertrain technology could solve this problem overnight,"
said Jeanes. "By sharing technology as we are doing at GPC 2000, we are
shortening the time to that breakthrough."
Past and present co-sponsors of GPC 2000 include The Aluminum Association,
American Iron and Steel Institute, Automotive Technology Group, BorgWarner
Automotive, Comau, DuPont Automotive, Eaton Corporation, EUCAR, Intergraph,
Litex, Powertrain International, Sverdrup Technology, Visteon Automotive
Systems and Volvo Car Corporation. GPC 2000 will again present the Powertrain
Excellence Award for the most innovative technology that advances powertrain
engineering and manufacturing knowledge. The winner of this award last year
was Leon Ekchain of Litex for the Litex Corona Discharge Device. The
nomination deadline for submitting powertrain technological innovations is
April 27, 2000, which must be submitted to the GPC Office.
Dr. Nasim Uddin, president of Automotive Technology Group, Inc., and
director of the GPC 2000 Advisory Board indicates that exhibitors may reserve
exhibit space up to May 1. They may make their reservations by calling the
Global Powertrain Congress office at 810-558-5710.