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A New Beginning?
The global automotive industry continues to undergo profound change. Corporate restructuring, a softening economy, global integration, tougher fuel economy and environmental requirements, increasing material costs, transformational labor agreements, rapid development of new powertrains, an emerging role for bio fuels, and reduced pricing power are just some of the challenging issues. In reality, most of these factors have been facing the industry players for a number of years and have created a turbulent and difficult environment for all as discontinuous change became the norm.
However, the rewards of hard work, collaboration, and learning to operate faster and smarter are beginning to transcend the turbulence. By embracing change, suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers appear to be at the edge of a “New Beginning” that promises to lead this industry to an era of success and prosperity. Challenges remain, to be sure, but progress is being made. The future--while still tough--appears brighter and optimism is growing.
Chair:
David Cole, Ph.D., Chairman, Center for Automotive Research
Speakers:
Bob Carter, Group Vice President and General Manager, Toyota Division, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. Presentation
Bob Boniface, Director of E-Flex, General Motors Corporation
Jim Kamsickas, President and CEO, International Automotive Components, North America and Asia Presentation
Peter Marks, Chairman, President and CEO, Robert Bosch LLC Presentation
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