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January 10, 2003
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This Week:

• Toyota Premieres Fine-S Fuel-Cell Concept At NAIAS In Detroit

• Audi Pikes Peak quattro: dynamism, design and space

• DaimlerChrysler Corporation Provides Dodge Ram Truck, Trench Rescue Equipment to Detroit Fire Department 

• The xActivity SAV concept makes its world debuts at 2003 NAIAS

• Ford FREESTYLE FX Is The World's First Purpose-Built Crossover Vehicle

• Record Year for the 911 in North America

• First Production Chevy SSR To Appear At NAIAS

• Mercedes-Benz Extends Its Leading Position in the World Market for Premium Automobiles in 2002

• Avantime expands its range with a Hélios special edition

• Magna announces 2003 outlook

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First Production Chevy SSR To Appear At NAIAS

Photo: GM

DETROIT - Auto enthusiasts anxious to get close to the much-anticipated Chevrolet SSR will get their wish, as the first saleable Chevy SSR will be featured prominently on the Chevrolet stand during this year's North American International Auto Show. VIN #1 is the first of 25 saleable SSRs to be used in a unique launch program that will create one-of-a-kind "pedigrees" for each vehicle. Both the vehicles and the program carry the name "Signature Series." Production of the Signature Series SSRs began in December 2002 and will continue through April 2003. They will be used in a wide variety of high-profile launch activities around the country throughout the 2003 calendar year. Many will be part of themed events created specifically around the SSR. Each vehicle will embark on a unique journey, and along the way, Chevrolet representatives will collect memorabilia, photographs, autographs, news clippings and other keepsakes that connect to the journey. These collectibles will create a "pedigree" specific to each SSR, and will be placed in a special scrapbook that will be auctioned off with each vehicle at the end of its road trip.

"We developed the Signature Series vehicles and program concept as a creative way to introduce the new Chevy SSR to as many people as possible," said Russ Clark, marketing director for Chevy's mid-size trucks. "Each SSR will have its own unique adventure - a pedigree of sorts - that could never be duplicated."

Signaling the start of SSR saleable production, the Signature Series vehicles will carry vehicle identification numbers (VINs) 000001 through 000025 (automotive collectors often seek out low numbers.) Unlike the rest of the Signature Series vehicles, which will have two signatures on their 'waterfall' interior badge, VIN #1 will have four (GM President and CEO Rick Wagoner, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, GM North America President Gary Cowger, and GM Design Vice President Wayne Cherry). GM will retain this SSR as part of its historic vehicle collection.

Ultimately, all of the Signature Series SSRs (with the exception of VIN #1) will be offered for sale through public or GM dealer auctions during 2003. The scrapbook and memorabilia collected in association with the use of that particular vehicle will be included as part of the auction package, adding to authenticity of the vehicle's pedigree.

The SSR Signature Series program will consist of nine themed pedigrees, including a "Stars Car," a "Rock & Roll," car and five "Street Art SSRs." Specific details for some pedigrees have yet to be finalized and will be announced at a later date.

Start of SSR regular retail production and shipment to Chevrolet dealers is scheduled to begin at General Motors' Lansing (Mich.) Craft Centre in Summer 2003.

The frame and chassis of the SSR are similar in design to Chevy's mid-size TrailBlazer family of sport utilities. All exterior panels are of stamped steel. Power comes from a new aluminum block version of GM's Vortec 5300 (5.3-liter) small-block V-8 and drives the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. Rounding out the sporty street machine appearance of the SSR are 19-inch front and 20-inch rear tires and wheels.

A comprehensive program of regular production options and accessories will be available for the 2003 SSR, with additional accessories being added in subsequent model years.

(January 8, 2003)