Some of the issues discussed at Auto-Tech 2003 included:
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| Auto-Tech 2003 set out to tackle a number of major issues faced by the automotive industry as a whole. (Photo: AIAG) |
How the industry can comply with the U.S. TREAD Act (Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation). The TREAD Act requires companies in to submit statistical data about consumer complaints, warranty claims, property damage claims, and field reports to the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration (NTHSA) on a quarterly basis. This act, which was originally supposed to take effect at the end of August but the deadline was extended until the end of the year, is intended to help detect potential equipment or vehicle safety issues and was enacted by the U.S. Congress mainly in the aftermath of the Firestone tire tread separation/Ford Explorer rollover controversy about four years ago.
Developing best practice guidelines to address safety issues related to transfer press operations. Currently, there are no such guidelines at the ISO (International Standards Organization) level, making it ah high priority for AIAG's Occupational Health & Safety Steering Committee.
And looking at the issues regarding the European Union's End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive to store and recycle vehicles after they are no longer in use. Auto-Tech was held at Detroit's Cobo Conference Center.