Automotive decision makers will discuss the state of the industry and the challenge presented in striking a balance between meeting consumer demands and government regulations at the 48th annual Center for Automotive Research (CAR) Management Briefing Seminars (MBS). The North American automotive conference will take place Aug. to 8 in Traverse City, Mich.
More than 1,000 automotive industry stakeholders are expected to attend the conference to discuss a variety of topics, including “Mobility, Profitability, Sustainability.” The conference covers the breadth of the industry with 10 topical seminars focused on global manufacturing strategies, lightweighting, connected and autonomous vehicles, powertrain developments, sales forecasting, purchasing, policy, designing for technology, and capital investment.
CAR president and CEO, Dr. Jay Baron, and Dr. Sean McAlinden, CAR executive vice president of research and chief economist, will chair the automotive strategy sessions on the mornings of Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 7 and 8. Annually a focal point for CAR MBS, the automotive strategy sessions include government leadership and senior executives from vehicle manufacturers and suppliers.
“The expertise provided at CAR MBS and the renowned networking opportunities offer stakeholders necessary context and connections to grow in the industry,” said Baron, “The Automotive Strategy sessions in particular are a forum for industry leaders to discuss the challenge in developing business strategies that blend long-term profitability and growth with sustainability.”
Speakers for Wednesday’s automotive strategy session include:
- Gov. Rick Snyder, State of Michigan
- Jacqui Dedo, chief strategy officer, Dana Holding Corp.
- Bill Krueger, senior vice president, mufacturing, purchasing, production engineering and supply chain management, Nissan Americas
- Rick Schostek, senior vice president, Honda North America, Inc. and Honda North America Services, LLC
- Jan Spies, head, factory Ppnning, Volkswagen AG
- James Tetreault, vice president, North America Manufacturing, Ford Motor Co.
Speakers for Thursday’s automotive strategy session include:
- Gov. Jay Nixon, State of Missouri
- Daniel Ammann, senior vice president and chief financial officer, General Motors
- Scott Keogh, pesident, Audi of America
- Phil Martens, president and CEO, Novelis, Inc.
- Doug Rothwell, president and CEO, Business Leaders for Michigan
New this year is a Thursday closing session: From the Racetrack to Product Development and the Dealership: How Racing Can Drive the Product.
CAR MBS will bring together a closing panel to discuss how racing can drive product development. Featuring speakers from vehicle manufacturers and supplier race programs, the panel will give insight on how lessons learned on the track are translated into the consumer vehicle—a “Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday” business strategy.
For detailed information, visit the event’s website at www.cargroup.org/mbs. For more information, visit the CAR website: www.cargroup.org.
