Online Registration is LIVE for the 2013 Southern Automotive conference.
Visit www.saconf.com to register, review the agenda, and learn about conference partnerships.
Presenting sponsors: Automotive Industry Action Group 
Baker Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC 
Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, Mississippi State University 
Mississippi Development Authority 
TOYOTA – Blue Springs Powers On Solar Array on 2013 Earth Day
http://www.toyotanewsroom.com/releases/toyota+mississippi+solar+power+earth+day.htm
From The Mississippi Business Journal blog
March 20, 2013
Nissan Donates Manufacturing Robots to Alcorn State University
http://msbusiness.com/businessblog/2013/03/20/nissan-donates-manufacturing-robots-alcorn-state-university/
2013 Cars Under the Stars Attracts Car Enthusiasts, Industry Experts
Classic cars, great food, and good company were all a part of the 2013 Howard Wilson Chrysler, Jeep Dodge, Ram Cars Under the Stars classic car show.
Guests at the March 1st preview reception enjoyed a sneak peak at the beautiful classic cars and heard about the state of the industry from Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn and automotive manufacturing industry leaders Phil Rodi of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Miss. and Don Stoegbauer of Nissan – Canton. The 6th social event and the 2nd annual public car show held on Saturday are possible due to a longstanding partnership with the Miss. Classic Cruisers.
The proceeds from the event benefit the Miss. Automotive Manufacturers Association scholarship program. Many thanks to our partners for making this event a great success.
2013 MAMA President Barbara McDaniel applauds as 2013 MAMA Secretary Don Stoegbauer presents Minnie Hightower of Toyota Boshoku a membership plaque.
1958 Toyopet
MS Speaker of the House of Representatives Philip Gunn
Cars Under the Stars
MAMA’s second annual open-to-the-public classic car show
9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, March 2, 2013
Mississippi Trade Mart
Jackson, Mississippi
Adults $7, Children 12 and under, no admission charge
Proceeds benefit the MAMA Scholarship Program.
Design concepts for next-generation vehicles to be built in Mississippi debuted this week at Detroit’s North American International Auto Show.
The Clarion Ledger, January 17, 2013
Andy Palmer, executive vice president of Nissan Motor Co., introduces the Nissan Resonance. The vehicle offers a clue to the future restyling of the Murano, which will be built in Canton next year. / AP
Toyota officials say a new version of the Corolla, built at the automaker’s plant in Blue Springs, will be coming later this year. A concept version of the vehicle boasts design features like sloped rooflines, LED headlights and taillights and blacked-out grilles intended to market one of the industry’s most venerable brands to younger buyers.
Toyota’s U.S. chief Jim Lentz said the company must now decide how edgy it can go with the Corolla’s styling, to win over new customers, without losing longtime buyers.
“Styling is going to be a major focus of the company going forward,” Lentz told The Associated Press at the show. “We’ll do a lot of testing with that concept with the consumer, because it’s a little bit of a tricky segment. It’s a segment that is still driven by rational buying decisions. So you have to be careful that you don’t make compromises in styling that affect the overall packaging of the car.”
Nissan’s Resonance concept covers future design of its crossovers, including the Murano, which will be built at the company’s Canton assembly plant starting next year. It includes what the company describes as “boldly futuristic” aerodynamic styling, including boomerang-shaped headlights, and “VIP Lounge” interiors with light-colored leather and premium-stitched seating.
Toyota unveils the Corolla Furia Concept during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The vehicle is produced at Toyota's plant in Blue Springs. / AP
The Detroit Free Press reports industry watchers will look at it for clues of the replacement of the Murano, which is expected about a year from now.
According to the Detroit paper, when first introduced in the last decade, the Murano featured a breakthrough design that helped carve a new niche of vehicles that were neither wagons nor SUVs.
“The Resonance redefines the crossover segment yet again,” Andy Palmer, Nissan vice president of global product planning, told the paper.
Innovation Conference
Quest Room, Nissan Plant in Canton, MS
presented by
Mississippi State University Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems- Extension and Nissan North America – Canton
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
7 a.m. – noon
MAMA is a proud sponsor. Please make plans to attend this event.
For more information, click here .
Nissan – Canton in the News
Nissan marks 10 years, to add to line
The Clarion Ledger, Jan. 11, 2013
Governor Phil Bryant, Nissan to celebrate automaker’s 10 years in Mississippi
The Clarion Ledger, Jan. 10, 2013
Nissan Shifting Murano from Japan to Canton
The Clarion Ledger, Jan. 10, 2013
Nissan Canton Marks 10 years
by Dan Bednarzyk
Guest Editorial, The Clarion Ledger, Jan. 8, 2013
Thanks, Nissan, for a successful 10 years in state
Editorial page, The Clarion Ledger, Jan. 9, 2013
