Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen to Keynote The Washington Auto Show

WASHINGTON -- Dec. 10, 2014: One of today's most admired automotive leaders, Johan de Nysschen, will present the industry keynote address at the 2015 Washington Auto Show, Thursday, Jan. 22. The keynote from de Nysschen will kick-off Public Policy Preview Day at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

As president of the leading American luxury brand of Cadillac, with a history of leadership with several of the world's top luxury carmakers, de Nysschen exemplifies a key thrust of the 2015 show: the resurgence of the auto industry.

"Everyone in this business knows that Johan de Nysschen is someone to watch for his tremendous vision and results," said Kevin Reilly, chairman of The Washington Auto Show. "As the public policy show on the global auto show circuit, The Washington Auto Show is proud to present the innovative thinking and can-do spirit that has brought such progress to this critical sector of the American economy."

Given its public policy niche, The Washington Auto Show is a premiere draw for global media and pivotal political, regulatory and industry leaders to discuss pressing issues such as energy efficiency, advanced technology and renewable fuels. For 2015, The Washington Auto Show will debut its "Made in America" program, featuring the multitude of jobs and industries supported by the automotive sector. Launching the first of two Public Policy Preview Days, "Made in America" will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 21 with photo ops of various vehicles before the Capitol followed by a series of "Ted"-style talks on the ways that the automotive business and the U.S. economy have shaped and supported each other.

The second Public Policy Preview Day will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and feature a daylong schedule of press conferences and special events headlined by de Nysschen's address at the Newsmaker Breakfast sponsored by the Washington Automotive Press Association and the International Motor Press Association.

Johan de Nysschen, 54, was appointed President of Cadillac and General Motors Executive Vice President on July 11, 2014, assuming responsibility for all aspects of Cadillac globally. Cadillac is in the midst of a long-term mission to expand globally, and elevate into the highest ranks of the extremely competitive luxury auto marketplace.

de Nysschen has a longstanding record of leadership and success. He was President of Infiniti from 2012 – 2014. Prior to Infiniti, de Nysschen was President of Audi of America Inc., for more than eight years.

Past industry keynote speakers at The Washington Auto Show have included Alan Mulally, then-President and CEO of Ford Motor Company; Dieter Zetsche, then-CEO of DaimlerChrysler; and Dave Zuchowski, CEO of Hyundai. Government keynote speakers have included illustrious Cabinet members such as former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, former EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and former U.S. Energy Secretaries Ernest Moniz and Steven Chu. In addition, President Obama and Vice President Biden have toured the show in recent years.

Such success has garnered tremendous recognition for The Washington Auto Show, which has recently received the imprimatur of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles (OICA), designating it among the five tier-one shows in America. The show also draws record media coverage, with over two billion media impressions recorded for last year's show.

Public Policy Preview Days culminate in a Sneak Peek Reception, Thursday evening, Jan. 22, for officials in government, industry and media. The show opens to the public on Friday, Jan. 23 and runs through Sunday, February 1 and is the largest public show in D.C.

Produced by the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA), The Washington Auto Show features more than 700 new makes and models from more than 42 global manufacturers.