SATCAR (The Week of the Art, Technology and Culture of Automobiles and Highways) was created in 1989, at the initiative of the City of Clermont-Ferrand. It has become a select meeting place based on the themes of automobiles, traffic and highways.

Every two years, SATCAR makes a contribution to thinking about the orientations and future prospects in these areas:

- partly by organising exchanges and meetings among professionals, in the form of international congresses and European symposiums,

- and partly by involving the wider public using events on automobile themes that are recognised for their outstanding quality.

After just 6 appearances (1989, 1991, 1993, 1995,1997 and 1999), SATCAR is a reference event.

Since 1999, SATCAR is opening up a new specialised section for enterprises, with the hosting of a business convention that will bring together suppliers and manufacturers in the automobile sector, at a European scale.

THE PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS

For the professional meetings, SATCAR welcomes the principal European experts to a series of international congresses, European symposiums and scientific or technological conferences.

In just a few years, the «Clermont-Ferrand Meetings» have become a reference event : more than 4500 scientists, experts and heads of enterprise have taken part in some 43 congresses or symposiums organised since 1989, which represent more than 700 events.

In 1997, the «5th Clermont-Ferrand Meetings» welcomed about a thousand professionals to 2 international congresses and 5 European symposiums dealing with the most recent research on the themes : automobile technology and research, drivers and highway signalling, the environment and pollution, urban traffic.

In June 1999, SATCAR is strengthening its role in scientific, technical and technological exchanges : 6 congresses and symposiums are organised to develop the research themes of pollution and urban traffic.

SATCAR OPENS UP TO EUROPEAN ENTERPRISES

In June 1999, ten years after its launch, SATCAR is taking another step by opening up its space to enterprises in the automobile sector, which is one of the major activities of the Auvergne and the Massif Central.

By building on this local advantage, SATCAR means to take a leading European position by promoting meetings among automobile sector enterprises.

Therefore, as from 1999, SATCAR is hosting a business convention open to all European automobile suppliers and manufacturers.

The Union of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the Massif Central (UCCIMAC), in close association with all the regional, national and European organisations concerned is organising this convention, which for the participating enterprises is the occasion for some 1500 business meetings in 2 days.

Alongside the business convention, the SATCAR programme is reinforcing this opening up to enterprises :

- Organisation of symposiums on the future prospects of the automobile sector,

- Presentation of the know-how of the Massif Central enterprises,

- Organisation of visits to leading enterprises in the automobile sector.

MEETING THE PUBLIC

At the same time, the outstanding quality of the events intended for the general public underlines SATCAR's unique role : tens of thousands of visitors come to this event to discover the many aspects of the world of the automobile and its future.

In 1997, the accent was placed on the automobile in the city with some remarkable exhibitions :

- Dream City Cars : The presentation, for the 1st time in the same arena, of about ten concept-cars and prototypes of future urban vehicles.

- Young Energies : The demonstration (exceptional and unique in Europe) of some forty low pollution emission vehicles (solar, electric, LPG, NGV, Diester, fuel cell). The presentation to the public (for the first time in France) of a «fuel cell» vehicle (NECAR II from Mercedes).

- TAXI : The creation of a street theatre event on the topic of getting around in town, with the support of the Ministry of Culture. This show will be running for two years throughout Europe.

In June 1999, SATCAR is developing its role of informing and raising public awareness about the future of the automobile, especially on the theme of «Young Energies».

In addition, an extensive programme of events is being offered during 10 days : the European Festival of Automobile Advertising Films; the showing of collectors' and prestige vehicles; art exhibitions (sculpture, painting, photography, comic strips); special cinema programming, etc.

SATCAR'S PARTNERS

From the start, SATCAR involve all the strengths of Clermont-Ferrand and the Auvergne, with the special support of three main partners :

- The City of Clermont-Ferrand

- The Michelin Manufacturing Company

- The Puy-de-Dôme General Council

Around this «hard core», SATCAR is supported by a vast network of regional and national partners : universities, research centres and scientific organizations, automobile sector manufacturers and enterprises, ministries (industry, research and technology, highways, transport, environment, culture, etc.) and their networks, motorway companies and road network managers, professional groups, development organizations, etc.

SATCAR has more than 220 regional and national partners.