Sixteenth Annual Automotive Outlook Symposium
On June 4–5, 2009, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago held its Sixteenth Annual Automotive Outlook Symposium. The Symposium began on Thursday, with a panel of experts who discussed how the auto industry can make vehicles more efficient. Following the panel, lunch was served at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago's Detroit Branch followed by a special tour of the Ricardo Technical Center. Ricardo provided an array of services to the automotive industry: technology, innovation, engineering solutions, as well as strategic consulting. After the tour of the facility, they learned about their new, state of the art Battery Systems Development Center. Please note: cameras, cell phones with cameras or any other device which takes pictures or videos may not be used at the facility.
On Friday, June 5, the symposium convened at the Detroit Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. The symposium focused on the long-term landscape of automotive production. The topics included: the viability of the auto industry; the vehicle sales outlook from the OEM (original equipment manufacturers) perspective; medium- and heavy-duty truck industry outlook; dealers' and suppliers' perspectives on the sales outlook; and the consensus outlook of symposium participants.
Panelists will provide 10–15 minute presentations; the balance of the session will be a question and answer period.
After lunch, there was be a tour of the Ricardo plant. Ricardo provides an array of services to the automotive industry: technology, innovation, engineering solutions, as well as strategic consulting. After the tour of the facility, we learned about their new, state of the art Battery Systems Development Center.
