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SAE/CEA Announce Digital Car Conference

16 October 2000

SAE/CEA Announce Digital Car Conference

    DETROIT, Oct. 16 To answer the question "What do consumers
really want in two-way, in-vehicle communication and information services?,"
the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the Consumer Electronics
Association (CEA) today announced they are launching an innovative,
interactive annual forum called the Digital Car Conference and Exhibition.
    Neil Schilke, SAE 2001 Presidential Nominee, remarked that "SAE and CEA
are two fine organizations with separate missions, which have met at the
purpose of determining consumer requirements for new electronic technology in
automobiles.  A collaborative effort between these two organizations makes
perfect sense as we stand before a potential boom of new electronic equipment
for cars."
    "We're pleased to enter into this conference partnership with SAE," stated
CEA Vice-President, Evan Shubin.  "CEA is the home for the mobile electronics
industry, and SAE is the heart of the automotive technology world.  This
conference will further CEA's goal to grow the industry by bringing both the
OEM and aftermarket sectors of automotive technology together."
    The Digital Car Conference and Exhibition will be presented in alternating
years in Detroit (in odd years) and Las Vegas (in even years).  The Las Vegas
conferences will hold the event in conjunction with the Consumer Electronics
Show, sponsored by CEA.
    The 2001 conference will look at three functional areas: basic vehicle
systems, safety and security, and telematics.  The program will be held at
Cobo Center in Detroit, MI on October 16-18.
    "This conference is a real quantum leap for SAE.  It will be unique and
limited to 400 attendees onsite and another 400 online in Europe and Asia,"
said Patti Kreh, Staff Engineer, SAE Engineering Meetings Division.