Auto Safety Concerns Top Consumer/Industry Survey
6 January 2001
The Society of Plastics Engineers Hosts Second Annual Global Automotive ConferenceDETROIT - Consumer safety concerns, particularly vehicle roll over, tire safety and driver distraction, will be the top agenda of auto industry and government experts at the Global Automotive Safety Conference. Global automotive industry safety experts and top industry executives will unite to present solutions and discuss significant advancements in automotive safety at the Society of Plastics Engineers' (SPE) International Automotive Safety Conference. The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, February 5, at the Michigan State University Management Education Center in Troy, Michigan. The two-day event will include 20 cutting-edge presentations from automotive safety experts and a VIP panel of industry executives. On Tuesday, February 6, a tour, sponsored by DaimlerChrysler, of the University of Michigan CIREN Trauma Center in Ann Arbor and the Lear Technology Center in Southfield will take place. Conference topics include airbags, rollover, head, side and rear vehicle impact, and advances in future vehicle safety. Key topics include tire safety, elematics, driver distraction and child safety. In addition, an exhibit area will feature the latest displays in safety advancements and new safety component technology. "This Conference will highlight new plastic applications for automotive safety," said Suzanne Cole, an automotive industry safety expert; and chairman of the Global Automotive Safety Conference. "It's a fabulous opportunity for executives from industry, academia and government to gather and learn about new advances in automotive safety and discover how new government regulations will change the way vehicles are designed." "Our research indicates that consumers are purchasing vehicles based upon their safety record and advanced safety features. Consumers are demanding safer vehicles in all product categories and manufacturers are recognizing that those concerns are one of the key components in establishing vehicle brand identity," said Cole. Speakers include, William Walsh, Associate Administrator, NHTSA; Brian O'Neill, President, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety; Dr. Ricardo Martinez M.D., NHTSA Administrator 1994-1999; Joseph M. Gingo, Senior Vice President, Technology and Global Products Planning Goodyear; Larry Denton, President, Dow Automotive; Dr. Stewart Wang MD, PhD, Director, University of Michigan Burns Trauma Center; Susan Cischke, Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Passenger Car Operations, DaimlerChrysler; Tom Moore, Vice President, Liberty and Technical Affairs, DaimlerChrysler; Martin Dawson, Vice President Polyurethanes, Bayer Corporation; and several others. The VIP panel discussion and press conference will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. featuring Mr. Lindsey Brooke, Executive Editor of Automotive Industries Magazine, as the panel moderator. The SPE Global Automotive Safety Conference is an opportunity for engineering, marketing, sales and policy professionals at vehicle manufacturers and suppliers to interact with industry executives and top global safety experts. To purchase tickets, contact Pat Levine, American Plastics Council (248)244-8993, or e-mail, spe@ameriplas.org. Registration is limited to the first 300 people.