About Us


The Automobile Division - Essex Centre (ADEC) operates in the Basildon area and organises around eight evening lectures per year, as well as supporting local schools, careers events and those aspiring to become Incorporated (IEng) and Chartered Engineers (CEng).

Our lectures are lively and interesting, focusing on a mixture of new automotive product launches, new technologies and other notable automotive events such as land-speed record, formula 1 and rallysport. We keep the events interactive with a chance to ask questions with opportunities, before/after and during the break, to socialise with professional and like minded people! Occasionally we venture beyond the strict automotive world into major transport construction projects of interest to the local area (such as the high-speed rail link - Eurostar) or other vehicle sectors (such as Agricultural, Construction equipment, or motorcycles).

Essex AD events are further enhanced by the fact that the venues we use enable us to display vehicles in the room during the lecture. Our lectures are also open to the public so both members and non-members are welcomed, and you are welcome to bring along any friends or relatives who may be interested in a particular topic - no booking is required and there is no admission fee. Parking is easy and free at both our major venues and of course the Towngate Theatre, Basildon is easily accessible via public transport.

We actively welcome schools and those involved in Education/Careers to apply for our support as well as offers from you or your company if you are interested in presenting at a future event (lectures are usually booked around one year in advance) - in the first instance please contact the centre secretary (Use the "Contact Essex AD" link from our Centre menu above). The ADEC is also the place to find out about the latest news from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and obtain help with your membership enquiries.

The lectures are usually on the third Wednesday of the month from September to May and start at 7.30 PM either at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Basildon, or at Ford Motor Company, Dunton Technical Centre, Laindon.

Events Diary

Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500, Dunton Technical Centre

08 September 2010 | 19:30 - 21:30

This presentation will review the details of the 2011 Shelby GT500 including the performance and technology improvements that allows the GT500 to lead the pack in the Muscle car class in North America and be one of the best $ / performance vehicles available.

 

Time To Change Gear? The Future Of Automatic Transmissions, Dunton Technical Centre

20 October 2010 | 19:30 - 21:30

 

Young Engineers’ Karting event, A12 KARTERS LTD

17 November 2010 | 18:30 - 21:00

Are you an Engineering graduate, student, apprentice or technician? Want to know what the IMechE is all about? Want to experience the thrill of endurance racing? You are invited to the IMechE’s inaugural Karting event.

 

On Your Bike! Developments at Triumph Motorcycles. Mike Knight Tribute Lecture, Dunton Technical Centre

01 December 2010 | 19:30 - 21:30

 

The Nissan Leaf Electric Car, Holiday Inn Hotel

19 January 2011 | 19:30 - 21:30

 

Advanced Composites for Engineering, Holiday Inn Hotel

16 February 2011 | 19:30 - 21:30

(Joint Event with SEA)

 

Engineering A World Car; The New Ford Focus, Dunton Technical Centre

16 March 2011 | 19:30 - 21:30

 

The latest developments at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Dunton Technical Centre

20 April 2011 | 19:30 - 21:30

(Joint Event with SEA)

 

Annual Dinner: Orfordness - Secret no Longer, The Chichester Hotel

13 May 2011 | 19:30 - 22:00

Joint ADEC/SEA Annual Dinner

 

Catching the Wrightbus; Hybrid Technology, Holiday Inn Hotel

18 May 2011 | 19:30 - 21:30