Nation's Largest Auto Shows Receive International Certification

CHICAGO, Oct. 31, 2005 -- The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers today announced that three United States auto shows have been approved for international certification. At a recent meeting in Sydney, Australia, the Organisation Internationale Des Constructeurs D'Automobiles (OICA) approved the prestigious certification for the Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York Auto Shows.

"We view this as a tremendous opportunity to highlight our products and our industry to the international automotive press corps. These are all unique, top-tier shows and I am very pleased that our colleagues at the OICA recognized the diversity of our industry and agreed to this arrangement," said Fred Webber, Alliance president and CEO.

"We're gratified that the nation's largest auto show has been rewarded with an OICA certification," said Jerry Cizek, general manager of the Chicago Auto Show. "Our latest expansion combined with Chicago's status as a world- class city makes it a worthy addition to the OICA calendar of international shows."

In 2005 the Chicago Auto Show expanded to 1.2 million sq. ft. (111,500 M. sq.). For the 2006 show, manufacturers from around the world requested an additional 80,000 sq. ft. prompting a further expansion of the show.

"We're very pleased with the response we have received from manufacturers about our growth," continued Cizek. "We are sure that the OICA certification will accelerate the momentum we are enjoying. Should this certification necessitate a further expansion of our show, Chicago's McCormick Place allows us the ability to immediately do so."

The nation's premier exposition center, McCormick Place, is nearing completion of its latest addition. The new West building will bring the total available display area to nearly 2.6 million sq. ft.

Pursuant to the agreement, in 2006 Detroit and Los Angeles Auto will be OICA certified, in 2007 Detroit and Chicago, and in 2008 Detroit and New York will be OICA certified. The cycle will then begin again with the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2009.

The Chicago Auto Show is produced by the Chicago Automobile Trade Association, the nation's oldest and largest metropolitan dealer organization. It represents nearly 750 franchised new-car and allied members. CATA dealers employ more than 55,000 people in the Chicago area. The show's Website is: http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/ .

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is a trade association of 9 car and light truck manufacturers including BMW Group, DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen. For more information on advanced fuel-savings technology, visit the Alliance website at http://www.autoalliance.org/ .