The event will bring together pan-European fleet, leasing and rental experts for a high-powered, two-day examination of the fast-growing European fleet market. The conference will turn the spotlight on key issues such as the impact of the single European currency, the challenge of maximising residual values in different countries and the support and skills required by fleet managers to run cross-border operations.
One of the world's leading motor industry academics, Professor Garel Rhys, head of the economic section at Cardiff University Business School, will chair the event, which is sponsored by British Car Auctions, Opel, Saab and Vauxhall.
'The 1998 Automotive Congress Europe is the European fleet, leasing and rental event of the year and is not to be missed by anyone involved in these or related industries,' said Rhys. 'The Congress will concentrate on the rapidly expanding pan-European fleet, rental and leasing industry, with the emphasis on giving delegates guidance on how best to make use of the opportunities which present themselves.'
And event organiser Emap Automotive (publisher of Fleet NewsNet) can now confirm that Tom Howes, from the European Commission DG VII Transport, will address the conference on threats to the vehicle fleet industry.
The two-day conference will be held at the five-star Hotel Intercontinental in Geneva, which is located close to the city centre and only 10 minutes from the international airport.
The first day (September 29) is dedicated to the European single market and EMU with speakers and topics being:
- David Kemp, vice-president -Euro director of ABN AMRO, on business opportunities presented by EMU.
- Dr Andreas Freiling, partner PricewaterhouseCoopers Deutsche Revision, on accounting and tax implications of EMU.
- Haydn Smith, vice-president - strategic business development, Avis Europe, on the company's route to Europe.
- Stephen Bill, head of unit indirect taxation other than turnover taxes, European Commission, Directorate XXI, Customs and Indirect Taxation, on tax harmonisation: current and future taxes.
- Car manufacturers' response to EMU (speaker to be announced).
- Freddie Aldous, president of the European Car and Truck Rental Association, on cross-border rental.
- Tom Howes, from the European Commission DG VII Transport, on threats to the vehicle fleet industry.
Day two of the conference (September 30) will discuss leasing companies of the future, multi-national fleets and vehicle remarketing with speakers and topics being:
- Dan Farrar, president and chief executive officer, GE Capital Fleet Services Europe, on the advantages of multinational leasing operations.
- Hanns-Holger Michaeli, finance director, ALD Autoleasing, Hamburg, on the advantages of European alliances.
- A representative of PricewaterhouseCoopers on a case study of GE ARO Lease.
- Alain Vervaet, managing director of Groupe Locabel, Belgium, will speak on small and medium clients and private customers.
- Rick Lee, executive director North American fleet operations, General Motors, on development of international business partnerships.
- Filip van Mullem, director, Fleet Logistics, Belgium, on the 10 'dos and don'ts' for pan-European deals.
- Maureen Allgood, international fleet co-ordinator, UK fleet and travel manager, Philips Electronics, on managing a pan-European fleet.
- Roland Huet-Gundill, planning manager pan-European fleet rental, leasing and remarketing operations, Ford of Europe, on disposal through car manufacturers and their dealers.
- Tom Madden, director, customer affairs, British Car Auctions UK and Peter Dietrich, general manager, BCA Autoauktionen, Germany, on the European car auction market in the future.
- Robert Brand, automotive consultant, MarketLine International, on trends in European used car remarketing.
- Mark Cowling, chief economist CAP Motor Research, on residual values in Europe.
Due to restricted numbers at the Congress, bookings will be accepted on a first come first served basis. Delegate fees, including lunch, beverages and congress material, is £500 for both days and £300 for one day. Prices do not include VAT or accommodation, however, special accommodation rates have been agreed with the hotel for Congress delegates.
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