After the perennial top concern over cost reduction, safety is rated as the number one challenge among automotive engineers to stay competitive in the design of the next generation of motor vehicles, according to the 10th annual DuPont sponsored survey of those planning to attend the 2004 SAE World Congress and Exposition, March 8-11. The DuPont SAE survey results also ranked advanced safety and entertainment systems as virtually tied among the top two technologies consumers would be willing to pay for in their next vehicle. "The SAE survey results support double-digit growth projections for safety systems development and validate our experiences around the world with first tier and OEM customers," said Michael L. Sanders, global business director for DuPont and INVISTA Automotive Safety Systems. "Our primary focus is to contribute materials technology and the expertise to apply it in priority development programs for side impact and rollover protection as well as collision avoidance and pedestrian protection systems that are on the near-term horizon." DuPont and INVISTA will participate in the 2004 SAE Exposition at booth 1643 with a focused display of automotive safety materials technologies. Technical experts from both companies will be available to consult with attendees on ways they can achieve their engineering design goals at lower cost, space and weight.