J.d. Power Chief Economist Named Featured Speaker For Sur/fin Automotive Symposium

J.D. POWER & ASSOCIATES CHIEF ECONOMIST NAMED FEATURED SPEAKER FOR SUR/FIN 2008 AUTOMOTIVE SYMPOSIUM
Dr. Bob Schnorbus, noted automotive industry analyst, to discuss current state of market and future global trends.

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 25–An already high-octane SUR/FIN educational program has been supercharged. The National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF) recently tapped Dr. Bob Schnorbus, chief economist and director of macroeconomics at J.D. Power and Associates, to be the featured speaker for the Automotive Symposium at SUR/FIN 2008, which takes place June 16-18 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. During his 90-minute presentation, which jumpstarts the day’s programming on Tuesday, June 17, Dr. Schnorbus will address a host of timely and pertinent issues of critical importance to virtually all channels serving the automotive industry.

Among the topics Dr. Schnorbus is expected to cover:

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* Short- and long-term automotive industry production forecasts.

* Interests rates and the weak U.S. dollar, and how that dynamic is spurring some overseas automotive manufacturers (as well as their Tier 1 supplier partners) to look at either establishing facilities in North America or expanding existing production sites. 

* The impact of sourcing on sub-suppliers, and how local Tier 2 & Tier 3 North American players are competing with some of the low-cost Asian countries.

* The impact of rising fuel costs and what that means in terms of worldwide demand.

* Incentives that some of the automakers have given to consumers and their impact on automotive manufacturers’ sales and profits.
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“What Dr. Schnorbus intends to address are not some of the more traditional things you hear about—for example, the number of vehicles produced in Asia, North America, Europe, etc.,” said Linda Wing, SUR/FIN 2008 Automotive Symposium Chair and Industry Manager—Automotive, Enthone, Inc. “Instead, he is going to look at the link between the automotive industry trends and the economic trends. This may involve discussions on the stock market, employment, housing—all of which impact sales and automakers’ projections for production. This is critical because whatever is projected for production trickles down and affects sub-suppliers.”

Dr. Schnorbus’ credentials and expertise make him a highly suitable featured speaker for the Automotive Symposium. At J.D. Power & Associates, he is responsible for tracking economic and automotive developments globally and developing vehicle sales forecasts for North America, South America and Asia within the firm’s Global Forecasting Group. He has also overseen the development of syndicated reports, such as the 1998 Sport Utility Vehicle and Used Vehicle reports, as well as the 1998 syndicated report on the Asian economic crisis. In addition to publishing the firm’s monthly Canadian PowerTracker and Global Auto Sales Report, Dr. Schnorbus is a monthly contributor to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report, and he also contributes to the production of the U.S. Weekly Light-Vehicle Sales Report.
“We are so proud to be able to provide the industry with access to such a high-caliber resource such as J.D. Power & Associates,” said Barry Lee Cohen, chairman, SUR/FIN 2008. “Dr. Schnorbus represents an independent, respected third party offering an unbiased look at the good, the bad, the opportunities, the challenges, and limitations we are confronted with in the automotive industry on both a global and North American basis. This session will assure valuable time with one of J.D. Power’s most prominent and important chief economists who can provide a very unique perspective. Plus, it is something that attendees would be paying much more money to see if it was not part of SUR/FIN.”   

NASF is so confident that Dr. Schnorbus’ presentation will draw significant numbers that it is highly recommending that SUR/FIN attendees register for the session as soon as possible. Although special arrangements have been made to prepare for a very large audience for this very rare session, organizers stress the point that seating is limited. “We are expecting a large turnout because this is something out of the ordinary,” Cohen said. “We want to make sure that all can be accommodated as much as possible.”

In order to save your seat for this must-attend event, please visit www.sur-fin.net and click on the “registration” tab. Viewers will also be able to see an overview of the session, which is part of a well-rounded, comprehensive, three-part Automotive Symposium beginning on Tuesday, June 17, wrapping up on Wednesday, June 18.

SUR/FIN 2008 is sponsored by the National Association for Surface Finishing (www.nasf.org). At SUR/FIN 2008, you’ll find a technical program that includes sessions focused on OEM and captive platers, as well as the expansion of exhibitors and attendees to reflect the entire surface finishing supply chain. For more information about SUR/FIN 2008, please visit www.sur-fin.net or contact Cheryl Clark at (202) 457-8404; (e-mail) cclark@nasf.org.