DETROIT, June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The 15th annual Auto Interiors Show opens
tomorrow (Wednesday, June 4) at Detroit's Cobo Center. It brings together
leading manufacturers and automotive design and engineering talent who will
share their vision of the road ahead in styling, safety, recycling, smart-car
technology for vehicle interiors, OEM-supplier relations and more.
Executives from GM, Ford, Chrysler, Mazda, Toyota's Design Center, and
numerous Tier One interior suppliers such as Visteon, Faurecia, DuPont, TRW,
Lear, Magna, JCI, Key Safety Systems, and many others will be participating on
panels or giving keynotes. (For a complete conference and show schedule, see
www.autointeriors.com .)
Wednesday Highlights
Opening Keynote
The opening keynote at 10:00 a.m. will be by Peter Horbury, executive
director of design, North America, Ford Motor Company, who will discuss his
vision for designing and building tomorrow's vehicle interiors, which
encompasses everything from material innovations and assembly concepts to
purchasing imperatives and aftermarket operations.
Closing the Deal OEM Panel
Following the keynote, Helen Emsley, global director -- color and trim,
General Motors, will be on an OEM panel with Alan Schneider, project chief
designer, Toyota Calty Design Research; and Dan Vivian, director --
engineering design, Hyundai Motor America, that will discuss "Closing the Deal
with an Irresistible Interior." The panel will discuss new interior ideas,
concepts as well as bold designs that will seal the purchasing deal. The
moderator is Carl Olsen, president, ARK Design. The panel takes place at 11:00
a.m.
Interior of the Year Awards
The annual Ward's "Interior of the Year" awards presentations take place
at 1:15 p.m. on the show floor. In all, 36 outstanding vehicles from 13
manufacturers have been nominated in six categories and the winners will be
announced at the show. Four Special Achievement Awards will also be presented.
Human Machine Interface Panel
At 2:10 p.m., a panel composed of Steve Polakowski, Magna International;
Rodger Eich, Johnson Controls; Michael Tschirhart, Visteon; and Frank Homann,
Continental Automotive Systems will discuss "New Trends & Technologies in the
Human Machine Interface (HMI). "The panel will discuss how new developments
are making the HMI more intuitive, tactile and easier to use.
Thursday Highlights
Keynote Address
Thursday opens with a keynote address by Wilbur Ross, chairman and CEO,
W.L. Ross & Co. LLC, and chairman, IAC Group. Ross will discuss how automakers
and Tier Ones must improve all aspects of automotive interiors, including
attractiveness, technology and safety to differentiate their models in the
highly competitive marketplace. His keynote begins at 10:00 a.m. Thursday.
Ford OEM Purchasing Panel
Marcy Fisher, director of body interior engineering, Ford Motor Co., and
Michael Taylor, director -- interior purchasing, Ford Motor Co., will discuss
"Ford's Purchasing Strategy for Interiors." They will be joined by Randal
Koenigsknecht, vice president, sales & marketing, Intier; and Ray Shemanski,
vice president & GM, Johnson Controls. This OEM Purchasing Panel will discuss
how Ford is leveraging supplier technology in crafting vehicle interiors that
are comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, functional and cost-effective. The
panel is scheduled from 11 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. It will be moderated by John
Henke, President & CEO, Planning Perspectives Inc., whose firm publishes the
annual OEM - Supplier Working Relations study of the U.S. Big Three vs.
Japan's Big Three.
Collaborating With the Aftermarket Panel
Thursday afternoon, John Waraniak, vice president - vehicle technology,
SEMA, will moderate a panel on "Collaborating with the Aftermarket for the
Ultimate Personalization and Retail Experience." Panelist will include Rob
Richard, Mopar Parts - sales and service marketing, Chrysler LLC; and Jeff
Vogel, Alpine Electronics of America. This panel will explore the
personalization of interiors at the point of sale through early design
collaboration with aftermarket suppliers. It will begin at 12:45 p.m.
The above keynotes and panels are only part of the nearly 20 different
panel sessions, seminars and events taking place over the two-day run of the
show at Cobo Center. Exhibit hours are 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Thursday until
3:30 p.m.); and conference hours are 8:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. (Thursday until
4:30 p.m.).
About the Auto Interiors Show: Now in its 15th year, The Auto Interiors
Show is presented by Ward's Automotive Group and is the industry's leading
trade show and conference for vehicle interiors. It spotlights the latest
innovations in vehicle technology and design to help suppliers respond to
increasing OEM demands and changing consumer preferences. It features
exhibits of leading suppliers who showcase trendsetting products and materials
with a view to the future of vehicle interiors. For complete information on
the annual Ward's Auto Interiors Show, go to: www.autointeriors.com
SOURCE Auto Interiors Show
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