WHAT:   Automotive News 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto
          Industry Gala Dinner

  WHEN:   Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2005
          6 p.m. - reception, 7 p.m. - dinner and presentation

  WHERE:  The Marriott Renaissance Center, Detroit, Mich.

HIGHLIGHTS: The event celebrates Automotive News' selection of influential female executives in the North American auto industry. Each honoree will be recognized on stage during the presentation, with brief remarks by the following before an audience of 800:

  -- Adriane Brown, president and CEO, Honeywell Transportation Systems
  -- Sue Cischke, vice president, Environmental and Safety Engineering, Ford
     Motor Co.
  -- Chris Cortez, senior vice president, Global Service and Parts,
     Chrysler Group
  -- Cheryl Jones, project general manager, Baja California, Toyota Motor
     Manufacturing Kentucky Inc.
  -- Maureen Kempston Darkes, group vice president and president, GM Latin
     America, Africa and Middle East, General Motors
  -- Kitty Van Bortel, president, Van Bortel Subaru and Van Bortel Ford Inc.

BACKGROUND: Automotive News' 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry, published in a Sept. 26 special issue, recognizes women who are leaders in the automotive field -- those who make major decisions and have significant influence at their companies.

-- The 2005 honorees are engaged in such automotive disciplines as design, energy, engineering, environment, finance, human resources, information technology, legal, management, manufacturing, marketing, assembly plant management, corporate affairs, customer service, purchasing, quality, regulatory affairs, safety and sales.

-- The list includes seven CEOs, three COOs, 13 presidents, 52 vice presidents, four assembly plant managers and one race car driver. Many of the women have operational jobs. A complete list of honorees is available at http://www.autonews.com/leadingwomen .