WASHINGTON, DC — The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) recently announced that it will hold a two-day demonstration of automotive technology that enables vehicles to be safer, cleaner and more fuel efficient. The second annual Ride and Drive is set for Thursday and Friday, Oct. 4-5, at RFK Stadium, Parking Lots 6 and 7, in Washington, D.C. Companies slated to participate include Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, BorgWarner Inc., Delphi Corp., Gates Corp., Gentex Corp., GE Plastics, Magna International of America Inc., Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems, Robert Bosch LLC, Valeo Inc. and Webasto Product North America Inc.
Members of Congress, federal agency officials, congressional staff and the media will have the opportunity to test drive vehicles and see technology in action, according to Bob McKenna, MEMA president and CEO. “Our first event in July 2006 surpassed our expectations,” McKenna said. “This year’s event will again be a hands-on demonstration program enabling our guests to see the technology, then get behind the wheel and experience it for themselves.”
McKenna said the motor vehicle parts supplier industry – which comprises the largest manufacturing sector in the U.S. – accounts for 40 percent of total automotive research and development investment.
“Motor vehicle parts suppliers are increasingly designing and developing more of the parts and systems that make our cars and trucks safer, with fewer emissions and better fuel economy,” McKenna continued. “Experiencing technology first-hand adds real value, and is critically important now as Congress and the administration discuss issues such as improved vehicle safety and fuel efficiency.”
The event will include active passenger car and heavy-duty vehicle demonstrations as well as several detailed static displays. Energy demonstrations and displays will include clean diesel, direct injection, stop-start, flex fuel, hybrid, idle reduction and other fuel-efficient technologies. Safety demonstrations and displays will include stability control, pre-crash warning, lane departure warning, blind spot detection, side alert, rear view detection, automatic parallel parking and other vehicle safety technologies. Company executives and engineers will be on-site to provide information on each of the technologies represented.
For more information, contact Ann McCulloch at 202-312-9242 or at: [email protected].
