WASHINGTON, D.C. — Leading executives with four auto finance companies will come together during the American Financial Services Association's 15th Annual Vehicle Finance Conference and Exposition early next year for a panel discussion that will delve into how these leaders and their companies are adapting their companies to the shifts in the market.

Gathering for that panel discussion will be:

—Daniel Berce, president and CEO, GM Financial/AmeriCredit
—George Borst, president and CEO, Toyota Financial Services
—Dietmar Exler, vice president, Mercedes-Benz Financial
—Tim Russi, executive vice president of North American operations for Ally Financial

Their discussion is among several other features expected at the conference, which will revolve around the theme of "Evolving with the Changing Market." 

The event is being held Feb. 2-4 in San Francisco at the Westin St. Francis Hotel on Union Square concurrently with the National Automobile Dealers Association's Annual Convention & Expo.

This will be the eighth straight time that AFSA and NADA have jointly held their annual conferences.

The AFSA Education Foundation is co-sponsoring the AFSA conference.

Areas of discussion will include the effect that the new political environment has had, how the finance and insurance office has changed, the impact of manufacturing changes on auto finance and how consumers' purchasing behavior has shifted.

Delivering the opening remarks will be Frank Armstrong, AFSA vehicle finance division chair, as well as Chris Stinebert, who is World Omni Financial Corp.'s president and CEO and AFSA president.

There will also be a "Straight Talk with Dealers" session where NADA leaders will delve into some insight from the dealer side of things.

Composing that panel will be:

—Stephen Wade, NADA 2011 chairman, president of Stephen Wade Auto Center
—William Underriner, NADA 2011 vice chairman, president and general manager of Underriner Motors
—Michelle Primm, NADA director, managing partner of Cascade Auto Group Ltd.

For the complete schedule and to register, visit www.vehiclefinanceconference.com.

Those wishing to exhibit and sponsor should contact Matt Gannon at mgannon@afsamail.org.