Ford Executive To Deliver Keynote Address At 2012 International Tire Exhibition & Conference

CLEVELAND, OH, August 07, 2012

David Rohweder, global chief engineer, Tire and Wheel Engineering, Ford Motor Company, will deliver the keynote address at 9:15 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 20 at the 2012 International Tire Exhibition & Conference.

Rohweder will talk about: "Stretching the Limits of Mobility, will the Spare Tire ever be Eliminated?"

Rohweder responsibilities include the oversight of all tire and wheel engineering actives worldwide, which includes the development of global standards, analysis methods, and product strategic plans to support Ford's business plans. He has worked at Ford over 20 years on vehicles ranging from the Fiesta up to Heavy Trucks. He has extensive experience in chassis engineering, CAE, testing and vehicle development.

For over a century, vehicle drivers have pondered the geographical limits for personal mobility. With the advent of new vehicle architectures, powertrain technologies and even road infrastructures, the freedom to travel throughout the world has never been more widespread. The automotive industry continues to develop new innovations and technologies to extend the limits of mobility. A balance of great fuel economy, performance and reliability are vital to customer satisfaction in all markets. Tire manufacturers and OEMs continue to invent and test new design concept to enable customers to go further without the need for a spare tire. From advanced constructions, and sealants, to run-flat designs, the opportunities for innovative extended mobility solutions appear to be endless. But, is the consumer ready to adapt to a these new innovative technologies? This presentation will probe the intersection of tire innovations and consumer perception for extended mobility. The challenges and potential opportunities for the tire industry will be highlighted as we discuss these future possibilities.
Rohweder has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering from Iowa State University and Masters of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University and has completed studies toward an MBA.

About ITEC 2012

ITEC (www.itec-tireshow) is a biennial trade show and conference co-produced by Rubber & Plastics News and Tire Business, both Crain Communications Inc. publications. Originally started in 1994 as an event for the world's tire manufacturing industry, in 2010 ITEC expanded into a show that encompasses all aspects of the tire industry with a special emphasis on sales, marketing, tire design, development and manufacturing to tire distribution, reuse and recycling.

Goldfinch Communications, Inc., is a public relations/media relations firm specializing in the global tire industry.