The automotive space is quickly turning into a gadget wonderland and so it feels right to have the chairman of one the world’s most advanced auto makers speaking at next year’s Consumer Electronics Show. Ruper Stadler joins the list of keynote speakers that includes Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer, CEA President Gary Shapiro, Verizon’s CEO Ivan Seidenberg, and Samsung’s President and GM of Visual Display Buisness, Boo-Keun Yoo. However, this isn’t the first time an auto maker headlined CES. Last year Ford’s President, Alan Mulally, delivered a keynote address as well.
Ruper Stadler’s keynote is scheduled for CES’s opening day at 11:00 am in the Hilton Theater.
Through Rupert Stadler’s leadership, Audi has become a global leader in the automotive industry, providing consumers with a high-quality driving experience through innovative design and technology,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. “Advanced technology is at the heart of Audi’s DNA and is contributing to their continuing gains in global market share. We are excited to welcome Rupert to the CES stage and look forward to hearing his outlook on the future of Audi and the ongoing relationship between the consumer technology and automotive markets.”
Ruper Stadler was named the Chairman of the Board of Management in 2007 and to VW’s Board in January of this year. Audi is quickly becoming the standard for automotive electronics. It seems to be as important as mechanical engineering for the auto maker.
Stadler’s keynote almost certainly guarantees that Audi will have large presence and possible even some announcements, although the North American International Auto show takes place immediately after CES finishes so don’t expect anything too earth shattering.