12th Annual Great Designs in Steel Seminar Demonstrates Steel's Vital Role In The Automotive Industry

DETROIT, April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As automakers progress to the next generation of vehicles to meet increasingly stringent fuel economy regulations, the steel industry continues to develop new steel technologies to design the safe, affordable and sustainable vehicles the industry and consumers seek. To ensure a thorough understanding of these technologies, the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), will host the 12^th annual Great Designs in Steel (GDIS) Seminar Wednesday, May 1 at the Laurel Manor Conference Center in Livonia, Mich. from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.  More than 1,500 participants have already registered.

The GDIS seminar brings together foremost automotive and steel industry leaders to discuss the latest automotive steel usage trends in this all-day, multi-track event. Engineering, design, technology, policy and academic leaders will present trends and solutions that offer the automotive industry a complete package of benefits: safety, lightweighting, affordability and sustainability.

"Great Designs in Steel is an ideal venue for the automotive and steel industries to collaborate on steel technology advancements that will offer new insight and opportunities for lightweight vehicles," said Ron Krupitzer, vice president, automotive market, SMDI. "We're looking forward to another successful event that will offer the critical solutions needed to meet the needs of today's automotive industry."

The technical program features more than 35 presentations highlighting steel's vital role in the automotive industry; such as, advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) technologies in various new vehicle platforms, advancements in the development of third-generation AHSS, steel designs to meet upcoming fuel and emissions requirements and steel's unique advantages in automotive materials competition. For the complete agenda, click here.

Numerous technologies and vehicle structures will be on display throughout the event, including the Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Silverado, Ford Escape, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata and Hyundai HED-7, as well as steel wheels, bumpers and fuel tanks. For a complete list of the more than 20 exhibitors please click here.  

GDIS debuted in 2002 and has grown in attendance and scope. In 2012, more than 1,200 North American vehicle manufacturers, Tier 1 suppliers, equipment suppliers, university representatives, steel company personnel and technical reporters attended the seminar. For more information or to register for GDIS 2013 please visit www.autosteel.org.

AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. AISI is comprised of 24 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 123 associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. AISI's member companies represent over three quarters of both U.S. and North American steel capacity.

SMDI grows and maintains the use of steel through strategies that promote cost-effective solutions in the automotive, construction and container markets, as well as for new growth opportunities in emerging steel markets. For more news or information, visit www.autosteel.org or follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/smdisteel.SMDI automotive investors include: AK Steel Corporation, ArcelorMittal Dofasco, ArcelorMittal USA LLC, Nucor Corporation, Severstal North America, ThyssenKrupp Steel USA, LLC and United States Steel Corporation.

SOURCE Steel Market Development Institute