AutoWeek Design Forum Examines Secrets of Iconic Design

AutoWeek Design Forum Examines Secrets of Iconic Design

DETROIT, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- What does a Porsche 911, an Airstream trailer and a Coke bottle have in common? All are iconic designs, and at least two of those companies will have representatives presenting at the 13th annual AutoWeek Design Forum, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Wednesday, January 11, 2006 at Cobo Conference/ Exhibition Center in Detroit, Mich.

The Forum is a day-long program that explores the importance of design in the auto world, as well as in the consumer product world since design is the ultimate differentiating factor between products, the catalyst of passion, and the primary force that drives consumers' interest and purchase decisions.

Geared toward car design professionals, designers allied to the field, design students and automotive enthusiasts, this year's Design Forum features individual morning presentations, afternoon tours of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) and a keynote speaker dinner program.

Highlighting the 2006 AutoWeek Design Forum morning agenda are:

* Peter Horbury, executive director of design, North America, Ford Motor Company;

* Grant Larson, manager advanced design exterior, Porsche AG;
* Joel Piaskowski, chief designer, Hyundai Motor America;
* Dicky Riegel, group president, Thor Industries; and
* Bob Wheeler, president and CEO, Airstream Inc.

As a special feature to this year's Forum, John Lasseter, executive vice president, creative, Pixar Animation Studios, will kick off the Design Forum dinner program with a preview of CARS, a Disney presentation of a Pixar film he is directing, which opens in June 2006.

Remarks by Giorgetto Giugiaro, president and chairman, ItalDesign, conclude the 2006 AutoWeek Design Forum. Celebrating his 50 years in automotive design, Giugiaro has officially styled and produced more than 200 cars, and developed many others for the world's top manufacturers, under the ItalDesign-Giugiaro trademark.

Rounding out the dinner program are two special presentations. AutoWeek will give its Lifetime Achievement Award to Carroll Shelby, the celebrated grand master of automotive passion. An avid racer and builder of his own car designs, the 83-year-old Shelby has partnered with several automakers to create many of the industry's most potent, passionate cars.

Additionally, AutoWeek Editors' Choice Awards will recognize the Best in Show, Most Fun, Most Significant and Best Concept vehicles of the 2006 NAIAS.

Advance registration for the day-long program - which includes continental breakfast, lunch, reception and dinner - is $275 for professionals and $125 for students. Advance tickets for the dinner program only are $175 each. Deadline for advance registration is Dec. 23, 2005. Limited on-site registration will be available during the Design Forum at $325 for full-day and $225 for dinner only attendance.

Visit www.autoweek.com/dforum for additional information and to register online. Information is also available by contacting Mary Beth Walerski at 313-446-6041 or mwalerski@crain.com .

Johnson Controls is host sponsor of the 2006 AutoWeek Design Forum, presented in conjunction with the NAIAS and in association with College for Creative Studies. VIP sponsors are Alias, Classic Design Concepts LLC and Maserati.

Source: AutoWeek

CONTACT: Pat Adanti-Joy, APR, +1-586-939-3429, pat.joy@comcast.net, for
AutoWeek; or Cheryl Rothe of AutoWeek, +1-313-446-6767, crothe@crain.com

Web site: http://www.autoweek.com/dforum

NOTE TO EDITORS: Complimentary registration is available to credentialed media for the 13th annual AutoWeek Design Forum. To register in advance, contact Pat Adanti-Joy, APR, via e-mail at pat.joy@comcast.net or phone at +1-586-939-3429.

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