The Global Automotive Forum 2011 program covers the relevant issues and challengers the industry is facing today.

The Global Automotive Forum 2011 program covers the strategic most relevant issues and challenges the automotive industry is facing today. Top leaders from the automotive industry as well as policy makers, executives from the financial sector and top automotive experts have already confirmed their participation.

Beijing – Global automotive leaders, senior executives from the financial sector as well as top experts and automotive media leaders will be coming together in Chengdu in South West China on 11-12 October for the 2011 Global Automotive Forum (GAF).

This second edition of the Global Automotive Forum will cover the most relevant topics which are shaping the future of the Chinese and international auto markets. The Global Automotive Forum has already established itself as one of the leading forums for the automotive industry. The theme for the 2011 forum is: "From Volume Leader to Innovation Leader"

The first Global Automotive Forum was held in September 2010 in Chengdu and brought together 500 high level participants from the automotive industry and over 250 media attendees. Wang Xia, Chairman of the Automotive Committee of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) remarked: "The First Global Automotive Forum created a great opportunity for Chinese car manufacturers to discuss with their foreign counterparts the issues that are of greatest importance for the future of the industry, and at the same it was a great opportunity for international car manufacturers to strengthen their connections with, and deepen their understanding of, the Chinese automotive industry."

The second edition of the Global Automotive Forum is being held in Chengdu again thanks to strong support from the Chengdu local government. The two day event will allow participants to engage in discussions, debates and brainstorming sessions.. Dinner and luncheons will also provide great opportunities for networking between the attendees. Key topics include The race for electric car leadership, What is the future for joint ventures in China's auto industry, What does China's 12th 5 year plan mean for the auto industry? Assessing major implications, and Global economic trends that will impact the auto industry.

The 2010 Global Automotive Forum was attended by top executives of companies such as Borg Warner, Bosch, Continental, Magna, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, General Motors, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Beijing Auto, Changan Auto, Chery, SAIC, Guangzhou Auto, Dongfeng Auto, First Auto Works etc, as well as by the number two of the World Trade Organization and Chinese policy makers with representatives from the central government and local governments.

The Global Automotive Forum has been created to bring together industry leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities that the automotive industry as a whole is facing in international car markets. In the past two years radical changes in consumer philosophy and the rise of new car buying trends as well as the task of tackling emerging markets have all compounded issues for car makers, the forums organizers are aiming to put these issues on the table for open discussion over the two day event.