It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the 9th International Symposium on Advanced Vehicle Control being held in Kobe, Japan from October 6-9, 2008, and also it is my great honor to act as General Chairperson of the Symposium. The Symposium covers a broad range of topics in the research field of vehicle dynamics and control through the bringing together of participants from all over the world.

     This will be a great meeting, with expert engineers and researchers sharing their new ideas, inventions, and experiences. The attendees will gain knowledge in a wide variety of subjects being presented in vehicle dynamics and control and will be able to enjoy, with friends and family, the hospitality of the city of Kobe. There are many excellent hotels, restaurants, and entertainment as well as the opportunity to see a country with thousands of years of history with many historical and religious sites.

     I hope you enjoy the Symposium while meeting old friends and making new friends.