MBS 2012

Catch the 'Designing for Technology (and the Consumer) Forum' live from the CAR Management Briefing Seminars - Live webcast, Wednesday, August 8, 2012, starting at 1:30 p.m. EDT

Friday, August 3, 2012

Klaus Busse For the first time ever, the Center for Automotive Research will webcast this session live from CAR MBS in Traverse City, Mich. The “Designing for Technology (and the Consumer) Forum” will be webcasted live on Wednesday, August 8, 2012, starting at 1:30 p.m. EDT. Leading innovators in the automotive industry will use product walk-arounds and demonstrations to showcase new ways to attract the next generation of buyers. Watch the forum, chaired by Brett Smith and Richard Wallace from CAR, at (http://new.livestream.com/cargroup).

Klaus Busse, head of Interior Design at Chrysler Group LLC, will lead off the forum with a vehicle walk-around of the new Dodge Dart, showcasing its new features. The 2013 Dodge Dart is an all-new vehicle with a sleek modern design, world-class interior and cutting-edge technology aimed at attracting younger buyers.

NVIDIA General Manager of the Automotive Business Unit Taner Ozcelik will then show how graphics processing units (GPU) are streamlining enhanced safety features as well as empowering new connected vehicle technology.

From smartphones to online music sites to cars, young consumers expect personalization. Ralf Meyer-Wendt, manager of Global R&D Technology, Lighting Products, Federal-Mogul Corporation, will continue the conversation with a display of Federal-Mogul’s interior LED lighting technology, which allows consumers to personalize the interior lighting of their vehicle.

Microsoft is also designing platforms to reach out to younger buyers. Kirk Shields, market development manager, Automotive Industry, and David J. Graff, manufacturing & resources managing director, will demonstrate how Microsoft is using its motion-sensing Kinect technology for in-home virtual demonstrations of vehicles. They will also demonstrate how mobile computing technology can be leveraged to make car buying and service more consumer-friendly.

John Waraniak, vice president of vehicle technology, Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), will close the forum with insights on how manufacturers are working with specialty equipment suppliers to help young buyers personalize their vehicles.

Catch the forum webcast live on August 8, 2012, starting at 1:30 p.m. EDT at (http://new.livestream.com/cargroup).

The “Designing for Technology (and the Consumer) Forum” is a part of the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) Management Briefing Seminars (MBS), August 6-9 in Traverse City, Mich. (mbs.cargroup.org).