Mercedes-Benz U.S., Toyota Executives Open CAR Management Briefing Seminars

ANN ARBOR, Mich., July 18 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two executives from automakers will kick off the Center for Automotive Research's annual industry conference in Traverse City. Presidents from Mercedes-Benz U.S. and Toyota Motor Manufacturing will discuss their companies' investments and strategies for bringing luxury vehicle production into U.S. manufacturing facilities, during the opening World Class Manufacturing session at CAR MBS on August 1.

Wil James, Jr., President, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. has led Toyota's largest automotive manufacturing plant in the world for more than five years and oversees a nearly $6 billion operation which employs nearly 8,000 people. At CAR MBS 2016, James will discuss Toyota's strategy for the ES 350, the first Lexus to be built in the United States. Toyota's investment of $350 million adds 50,000 units of capacity and 750 new jobs in Kentucky. James will also discuss Toyota's approach to culture, preparing the team, and developing the Lexus mindset in Georgetown.   

Jason Hoff, President and CEO, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. heads the Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant's 3,500 team members in producing the GLE, GLS and GLE Coupe luxury sport utility vehicles for more than 135 countries, as well as the new C-Class for the North America market. Hoff will speak from his broad experience not only in assembly operations, but also in supplier quality engineering, purchasing, and logistics and as division controller. He'll delve into the details behind Daimler AG's decision to invest an additional $1.3 billion, resulting in 300 new jobs to support the production of future generations of SUVs in Alabama.

"Today's world class production systems are smart, fast, and efficient" said Dr. Jay Baron, CAR's President and CEO. "These executives have lived in the trenches and know just what it means to deliver results in this highly competitive environment. This seminar will offer real-life experiences in producing world-class automobiles and automotive technology necessary to meet today's demanding requirements." Baron will moderate the opening session at MBS. 

In a separate, special session of the World Class Manufacturing seminar, speakers will focus on the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and the automotive manufacturing environment. IIoT enhances performance through the use of machine sensors, machine-to-machine communication and network communication with advanced analytics to create a "smart" environment where many decisions never require manual intervention. IIoT also plays an important role in connecting the enterprise with other manufacturing functions and the supply chain. Speakers from GE Digital, Toyota Motor North America, and ZF Friedrichshafen AG will explore how several leading manufacturers are balancing their workforce with automation, information technology, and process advancements to achieve excellence in performance while producing world class automobiles.

Join CAR at MBS 2016 and learn more about how automaker executives are adding jobs and capacity in the United States. The full MBS schedule can be viewed HERE.  Registration is still open and is free to credentialed media – REGISTER.

The Center for Automotive Research is a non-profit organization based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Its mission is to conduct research on significant issues related to the future direction of the global automotive industry, organize and conduct forums of value to the automotive community and foster industry relationships. For more information, visit the CAR website: www.cargroup.org.

SOURCE Center for Automotive Research

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