Gregoire connects Washington automotive suppliers with key car manufacturers

For Immediate Release: June 22, 2011

Continuing her eight-day trade mission in Paris, France today, Gov. Chris Gregoire introduced Washington automotive supply companies with key European car manufacturers like Peugeot and Renault � encouraging these manufacturers to look at Washington state companies for innovative vehicle technology.

�While I know that we are home to some of the most creative companies when it comes to automotive technology, this is our opportunity to ensure that manufacturers across the world are well aware of the innovation in Washington state,� Gregoire said. �These were good, productive meetings with some of the largest car manufacturers anywhere. I�m confident that the executives we met with were impressed with what Washington state companies have to offer.�

"Governor Gregoire's trade mission affords Airbiquity an opportunity to prove the global reach of Seattle's technology sector. Building on our pan-European connected vehicle programs for Shell and Nissan, Airbiquity continues to focus on Europe as a key market for our innovative solutions aimed at enhancing the driver experience,� said David Jumpa, Sr. VP of Global Business Development at Airbiquity, a global leader in the connected vehicle services market headquartered in Seattle. �We appreciate the Governor's efforts to promote Washington technology companies in Europe, and are grateful for the chance to demonstrate our world-leading connected vehicle service delivery platform to Europe's top automakers."

Also today, Gregoire joined leaders of Tridec, the economic development council in the Tri-Cities, in a meeting with AREVA to discuss possible expansion in Washington state. AREVA already operates a plant in Richland that manufactures fuel assemblies for nuclear power production, and is consistently looking for ways to expand its production of wind power, bioenergy, solar power and hydrogen as well as energy storage.

�We are extremely pleased that Governor Gregoire was able to meet AREVA CEO Ann Lauvergeon,� said Carl Adrian, President and CEO of Tri-City Development Council. �AREVA is the Tri-Cities� largest manufacturer and is thought of as primarily a nuclear company. However, the company has a broad portfolio of renewable energy technologies and we are hopeful that this meeting will establish a dialogue that will eventually lead to AREVA expanding their presence in Washington.�

Following her meeting with AREVA, Gregoire met with executives at EDF Energies, a world leader in solar and wind power � looking to grow its renewable energy market.

Gregoire also highlighted the state�s life-sciences industry in a meeting today with Canc�rop�le �le-de-France, which brings together cancer research across all disciplines. Joining Gregoire for discussions about creating collaborative opportunities in cancer research, education, and commercialization was Chris Rivera with the Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association.

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