"Geek Weekâ Opens in Detroit
By Michelle Krebs April 16, 2007This week, more than 35,000 automotive engineers and auto company executives are gathering in Detroit for the annual Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress.
The conference's official theme is "Engineering for Global Sustainable Mobility -- It's Up to Us.â The buzz surely will focus on engines and transmissions, specifically reducing emissions and boosting fuel economy, as well as advancing alternative propulsion systems and alternative fuels.
About a third of the 1,500 technical papers submitted cover engines and transmissions. Most of the panel discussions and displays relate to powertrains and alternative vehicle technologies.
One panel discussion is titled âThe Gasoline Engine Is Dead. Or is it?â Another will highlight government polices on vehicles and fuels as they affect consumer choice. Still another looks at whether or not horsepower and fuel economy can peacefully co-exist.
Toyota is the official host company of this yearâs congress. Toyota Motor Co. President Katsuaki Watanabe, speaking Thursday, is expected to talk about the company's efforts to add more hybrids and fuel-efficient vehicles to its fleet.
General Motors, meantime, is using the event to recruit new engineers. The automaker announced last week it was accepting resumes and holding a job fair in May to fill 400 openings it has for engineers, ones who specialize in powertrains as well as telematics.
Safety will also be on the agenda with a panel entitled âSafety Sells." National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator Nicole Nason will talk about technologies such as electronic stability control.
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