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Two years ago at NAFA’s annual conference, Graeme Maxton warned that the global auto industry was in need of a major model change and a complete re-engineering in order to fix all that is wrong with it. With General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler recently gathering in Washington, D.C. seeking billions to help save their companies, his dire forecast looks truer now than ever. Maxton, an internationally renowned authority on the global automotive industry, was so well received with his sobering message in 2006 that NAFA is proud to offer him a stage to share his insights into the future of the global automotive industry as the Keynote Speaker of NAFA’s Institute & Expo in New Orleans in April 2009.
In addition to his vast knowledge of the automotive industry, Maxton is a writer, presenter and events moderator who specializes in Asian business and economics. Maxton delivers punchy, clearly articulated analysis on the challenges of doing business in the world’s fastest growing economic region. With an eye to global business affairs, he draws on over 25 years consulting and advisory experience.
Maxton chairs many of The Economist’s meetings and conferences and is the presenter of the ‘Doing Business in Asia’ video series. He writes for a variety of publications including The Economist, The South China Morning Post, Scotland on Sunday, Business China and Business Asia. He appears regularly on major international news channels including CNN and BBC as well as radio stations around the world. Maxton is also an occasional guest commentator / host on CNBC’s morning new program, “Swawk Box”.
He authored the book Time for a Model Change, which was Cambridge University Press’ Feature Book of the Year in 2005, and co-authored Driving over a Cliff, which was nominated for the Financial Times Best Book About Business Award. Other books include the EIU’s Emerging Markets of Asia-Pacific and Asia Pacific: After the Crisis.
In 1992, he co-founded autoPOLIS, an automotive industry consultancy, which advises multinational clients and governments across the globe. Maxton was the Managing Director for Asia until 2007, providing analysis and presentations at board level for companies building their presence in the region. While there, he conducted assignments for a wide range of clients including The Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office, Renault, No. 10 Downing Street, Thailand’s Ministry of Industry, Britain’s Department of Trade and Industry, EBRD, Citibank, SKF, Nissan, GKN, Visteon, and TRW.
Maxton holds a first class degree in economics and operations research as well as an MBA and is a member of the economic policy committee of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. He lives in Vienna and Hong Kong.
NAFA’s Institute & Expo will take place April 25-28, 2009 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA. In addition to Graeme Maxton, the I&E will also present the motivational speakers Craig Karges and Ed Rigsbee, and comedy by Jan McInnis. The I&E also features over 60 hours of fleet training, education and workshops; the Public Safety Roadeo and a large collection of emergency vehicles, Green Fleet Ride-and-Drive where you can test drive various alternative fuel vehicles; the Green Zone, which contains the latest in “green” products, information, and services; and an Expo Floor with over 150 companies showing their latest products and services. Future I&E locations include Detroit (2010), Charlotte (2011), St. Louis (2012), and Atlantic City (2013).
About NAFA Fleet Management Association
NAFA Fleet Management Association, Inc. (nafa.org) is a not-for-profit, individual membership professional society serving the needs of members who manage fleets of automobiles, SUVs, trucks, vans and a wide range of specialized mobile equipment for organizations across the globe. NAFA is the association for the vehicle fleet management profession. NAFA’s Full and Associate Members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance, and remarketing of more than 3.5 million vehicles – including in excess of 1.1 million trucks. In fact, NAFA Members across the North American continent have more than 350,000 medium- and heavy-duty trucks in their fleets, totaling more than $21 billion dollars in assets for medium- and heavy-duty trucks alone.
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gwien[.]nafa.org 
