How synergy will propel auto industry to profit

The Chinese Global Automotive Forum has been held in Beijing for the last three years, but is now moving to Detroit to be held during events surrounding the North American International Auto Show next week.

The conference is called Synergy will Propel the Auto Industry into Prosperity, and takes the form of an open dialogue on the present and future of China’s automotive industry in relation to the global automotive market.

NAIAS Executive Director Rod Alberts made the announcement, further stating the Detroit and Beijing auto shows share a friendly and mutually productive working relationship.

The event will feature recognized authorities on the Sino-US global automotive industry, joined by guest speakers who represent original equipment manufacturers, suppliers, media and other illuminati. The forum will be held at the Sheraton Detroit Novi Hotel on Jan. 13, the day before opening events at NAIAS.

"We have strategic relationships with industry groups and auto shows around the world, and are pleased to support the China Council and its forum here in Detroit," said Alberts. "Chinese auto manufacturers have shown growing interest in the NAIAS, and our world stage. Our relationship with the China Council allows us to share data and resources with the goal of enhancing our respective events."

Information revealing Guangzhou Automobile Group Co Ltd, China’s sixth largest automaker involved in a joint venture with Honda, is planning a major product announcement at its press conference on Jan. 15.

So far, forum panel participants include David Cole, Chairman Emeritus, Center for Automotive Research and Chairman of Auto Harvest; Huang Xiangdong, Deputy GM of GAC and Chairman of GAC Research Institute; Paul Ingrassia, Deputy Editor-in-Chief at Thomson Reuters; John Pratt, Managing Director, Head of Global Diversified Industries for Merrill Lynch; and Joseph Vitale, Global Automotive Sector leader with Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

"We have been holding the Chinese Automotive Forum in Beijing for the past three years," said Jenny Hao, deputy director, Convention & Exhibition Department. "With our newly formed relationship with the North American International Show, we are happy to hold the very first Chinese Global Automotive Forum in Detroit. The gathering in China has proved to be a valuable source of information for Chinese OEMs, suppliers and companies looking to do business in Southeast Asia."

The Chinese Global Automotive Forum is a production of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Automotive Sub-Council, auto.163.com and the Tech Council International of the Detroit Chinese Engineers Association.

"Dialogue and communication will bring Chinese and American auto industry players to a common understanding and win-win cooperation," said Wang Xia, chairman, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Automotive Sub-Council, and executive chairman, Global Automotive Forum Organizing Committee.

Synergy will Propel the Auto Industry into Prosperity will run from 3 to 6:45 pm, Jan. 13 at the Sheraton Detroit Novi Hotel, 21111 Haggerty Road. On site registration starts at 2:30 pm. To preregister for the forum, visit detroitengineer.org.