California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to be the keynote speaker at a major auto industry event in Detroit next month, it was revealed yesterday (10th March).

The actor-turned-politician will be tasked with kicking off the four-day Society of Automotive Engineers' (SAE) 2009 World Congress on 20th April, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Mr Schwarzenegger - who has being outspoken in the past about emissions standards - is expected to discuss the development of hybrid vehicles and the various challenges presented to industry, both now and in the future.

Commenting on the news, David Schutt, SAE International Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, said at a press conference: "I am sure that Governor Schwarzenegger will offer a unique … and well-informed position on these topics.

"[He] sees this as an opportunity to communicate with a very important part of the US economy and a very important part of the California economy."

Mr Schutt added that the World Congress had enlisted Mr Schwarzenegger because he is someone "not from the inside, but from the outside" and can provide the body with a "challenge".

California has long been engaged in a fight with the automotive industry over its proposals to set its own emissions standards, along with 13 other states.

Source:

Schwarzenegger to speak about auto industry in Detroit (10/03/09)
http://www.freep.com/article/20090310/BUSINESS/90310057/1002/Schwarzenegger+to+speak+about+auto+industry+in+Detroit