MEDIA CONTACT: Wendy Leopold at 847-491-4890 or w-leopold@northwestern.edu

April 5, 2005

GM Executive to Lecture

EVANSTON, Ill. --- A top executive and champion of innovation at General Motors will explore the idea of what the automobile would look like if it had been invented today rather than 100 years ago in the 24th William A. Patterson Lecture on Wednesday, April 6, at Northwestern University.

The 7:30 p.m. lecture featuring Lawrence D. Burns, vice president of research and development and strategic planning, is free and open to the public. Sponsored by Northwestern’s Transportation Center, it will take place in the Tribune Auditorium of the James L. Allen Center, 2169 Sheridan Road on the University’s Evanston campus.

Burns will talk about the ways propulsion, electronics, telematics and materials may be used in the future to create vehicles powered by fuel cells and energized by hydrogen. He will discuss the idea that these new technologies provide opportunities for the auto industry to address energy, environmental issues, safety and congestion challenges associated with today’s cars.

Burns oversees General Motor’s advanced technology and innovation program and is responsible for the company’s product, capacity and business plans. He also serves on the Automotive Strategy Board, GM’s highest-level management team. In addition to driving innovation into today’s vehicles, Burns is promoting the corporation’s “reinvention” of the automobile and promising new technologies.

The Patterson Transportation Lecture was established in honor of the late William A. Patterson, founder and chief executive officer of United Airlines. The Transportation Center, which recently celebrated its golden anniversary, is an interdisciplinary education and research institution serving industry, government and the public. For more information, call (847) 491-2280, e-mail d-marek@northwestern.edu or visit www.transportation.northwestern.edu.