Auto Interiors: It’s the Tie Breaker

Mark Hogan, president of Magna International, has joined the roster of top auto industry executives speaking at the 13th annual Automotive Interiors Show June 7-8 at Cobo Center in Detroit.

Hogan will share his insights on industry issues and the importance of interiors in selling cars and trucks in a keynote address on day two of the show titled “Auto Interiors: It’s the Tie Breaker.”

“With the increasing number of OEMs and range of competitive products in every vehicle segment, the interior is beginning to play a larger role and, in most cases, becomes the tie-breaker in a purchase decision,” he says.

Hogan should know. As a 33-year veteran of the automotive industry, Hogan directs Magna’s $20 billion global automotive business, a significant portion of which is derived by the sale of interior components and systems. These include instrument panels, seating systems, and safety systems, hardware and latching systems, as well as the ability to manage complete interior integration programs.

Prior to joining Magna in 2004, Hogan had a 31-year career at General Motors where he held a number of senior executive positions including Group Vice President of Advance Vehicle Development, President of e-GM, and President and Managing Director of GM do Brazil.

Hogan joins a solid roster of speakers and panelists at the Auto Interiors Show – including GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz – who will cover a full range of topics related to interiors, from interior economics and safety; to interior design and branding; to electronics, in-car entertainment and materials.

Following Hogan’s keynote on Thursday, June 8, top OEM purchasing executives will have an open forum with suppliers on their purchasing strategies and supplier relations in 2006. The panel will be moderated by Dr. John Henke, president and CEO of Planning Perspectives, Inc., a firm that specializes in studying buyer-supplier relations.

The Auto Interiors Show also will feature an exhibition of products and technologies from some of the industry’s most innovative interiors suppliers.

In addition, the 7th annual Auto Interior of the Year awards is being held to honor the leading automakers’ interior designs, features and technologies in North American vehicles in six categories: Popular-price cars, popular- priced CUVs, popular-priced trucks, premium-priced cars, premium-priced CUVs and premium-priced trucks.

The Interior of the Year Awards program this year will also recognize the Best Navigation System, Best Instrument Cluster, Best Sound System, Best Seating, Best Interior Innovation and, in recognition of the ever-growing importance of passenger comfort details, Best Cup holder. A reception for OEM and supplier executives and the news media will be held following the awards presentation on June 7.

For more details on the show, such as the conference session line-up and important times for the event, go to http://www.autointeriors.com/ .

Now in its 13th year, The Auto Interiors Show is presented by Ward’s Automotive Group and is the industry’s leading trade show and conference for vehicle interiors. It spotlights the latest innovations in vehicle technology and design to help suppliers respond to increasing OEM demands and changing consumer preferences. It features exhibits of leading suppliers who showcase trendsetting products and materials with a view to the future of vehicle interiors.