Research Triangle Park, NC — March 25, 2008 — Neil De Koker, president and CEO of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA), will present "The Shifting OE Scene from Detroit to Tokyo, to Shanghai, to New Delhi" at the 2008 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) on Tuesday, May 20, at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago, Ill.

De Koker's presentation will address the many issues that carmakers continue to wrestle with and that will trickle down to the automotive aftermarket. He will discuss carmakers' response to increased U.S. fuel efficiency standards and what technology changes are likely to occur under the hood.

His comments also will address the impact hybrids, flex fuel vehicle and other mileage cars have on the market and which vehicle manufacturers around the globe will drive change affecting the global auto industry.

De Koker is the founding president of OESA, the original equipment market segment association of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). Established in August 1998, OESA represents suppliers of components, modules, systems, materials, equipment and services used in and by the original equipment automotive industry. OESA provides a forum for members to address issues of common interest, provides a voice for the industry and promotes the interests of the OE supplier community. The association currently represents 370 companies with global automotive sales of more than $300 billion.

De Koker's 45-year career in the automotive industry includes 23 years with General Motors Corp., where he played a lead role in the development and organization of Saturn Corp. He spent four years at Magna International serving as senior vice president, helping to organize and manage the formation of the automotive systems corporations. In addition, he served as senior vice president for The Woodbridge Group and MascoTech Inc., and co-owned a corporate communications company focused on automotive customers.

About GAAS
The GAAS program is a joint professional education effort of the Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations (ASAAA), Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada, Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association (APRA), Automotive Service Association (ASA), Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), Motorist Assurance Program (MAP), Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), Tire Industry Association (TIA) and University of the Aftermarket.

R. L. Polk & Co. is the corporate sponsor of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium.

GAAS Proceeds Invested in Industry Future
The GAAS scholarship program awarded 154 scholarships in 2007. Including the 2007 awards, GAAS has presented more than 1,300 scholarships and more than $1.3 million since it was formed. Details about the GAAS scholarship program are available at www.automotivescholarships.com.