New programs highlight the Society of Automotive Engineers' SAE 2003 World Congress, which got under way today at Cobo Center in Troy, Mich.

This year marks major additions to the overall programming, cementing World Congress as the place to connect OEMs and suppliers.
Running through Thursday, the show will feature nearly 900 exhibiting companies, more than 65 panelists at six Technology Pavilions, participation by visitors from 40 countries, presentation of more than 1,100 white papers and OEM vehicle display cut-outs.
"This World Congress is truly unique and is the largest of its kind, anywhere," said Richard Schaum, executive vice president of product development and quality for DaimlerChrysler Corp. and general chair, SAE 2003 World Congress. "Each year we strive to create a setting where the engineering community can discuss and learn about the hottest topics affecting our industry."
The Technical Pavilion will host top-level automotive executives discussing some of the hottest topics facing the industry today. Sessions will include:
-- 17 Million Vehicles Sold -- Where's the Profit?
-- Can OEM and Supplier Partnerships Lead to Profits for Both?
-- Is the U.S. Making Diesels Hard to Start?
-- Fuel Cell Initiatives; Powering Up at State, Regional, or International Levels
-- 42-Volt Electrical Systems & Fuel Cells: Harmonious Marriage or Incompatible Partners?
-- The Safety Revolution: As Safe as Possible.
Panel speakers include top-level industry executives, including representatives from DaimlerChrysler, Ford, GM, TRW, Bosch, Visteon, DTE Energy, Yazaki, Delphi, the U.S. Army and Canadian, Russian and Mexican government representatives.
The floor will be broken into five supplier pavilions, dedicated to the five core technologies that provide the foundation for World Congress (advanced propulsion/powertrain, advanced electronics, safety/testing, environment/emissions, and lightweight materials).
The design makes it easier for attendees to find correlated suppliers.
"The whole concept for Congress this year revolves around our technical program themes," said Schaum. "Using the five core topics as a spring-board allowed us to create a cohesive curriculum that shed light on every angle of the same topic. Attendees will walk away more knowledgeable on every topic presented."
SAE is a nonprofit engineering and scientific organization dedicated to the advancement of mobility technology to better serve humanity. Nearly 84,000 engineers and scientists who are SAE members develop technical information on all forms of self-propelled vehicles, including automobiles, aircraft, aerospace craft, trucks, buses, marine, rail and transit machinery. This information is disseminated through SAE meetings, books, electronic products and databases, technical papers, standards, reports and professional development programs.