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PRESS RELEASE

Consumers Benefit From Cooperation Among Big Three

16 January 1997

     Reports From the Auto Shows: Fierce Automotive Competitors Cooperate
             Through USCAR to Deliver World's Best Vehicle Values
  


    DETROIT, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire -- The fierce hand-to-hand competition among
America's three automotive companies to woo consumers is readily apparent at
the North American International Auto Show here and similar events around the
country.
    But in a rather ironical twist, many of the technical "weapons" offered in
their new cars and trucks are being developed cooperatively by Chrysler
Corporation, Ford Motor Company and General Motors in a number of
precompetitive research programs.
    As a result, the value of cars and trucks from the three companies is the
best it's ever been since these programs are aimed at improving such consumer
benefits as fuel economy, environmental compatibility and vehicle safety.
    Engineers and researchers of the three companies have formed 12 consortia
under the umbrella of the United States Council for Automotive Research
(USCAR) to help develop many of the technologies for vehicles of today and
tomorrow.
    "This cooperation among companies which traditionally saw each other as
the enemy is revolutionary, to say the least," observed Elizabeth Brueckner,
USCAR executive director.
    "The technical advances showcased at the auto shows are graphic
illustrations of the tremendous consumer benefits to be realized from these
cooperative efforts," she said.
    These efforts are resulting in:

    * faster, more cost-efficient production processes and manufacturing
techniques;
    * cleaner operating, more fuel-efficient powertrain systems;
    * lighter, easier to assemble vehicle components and structures, which
contribute to greater fuel efficiency;
    * more easily recyclable vehicles and components;
    * advanced hybrid powertrain technologies that may result in future
vehicles equaling today's value and performance, but with dramatic gains in
mileage.

    "Consumers already are seeing the results of USCAR efforts to develop
lightweight materials for more fuel efficient vehicles," said Brueckner.
    "For example, Chrysler's all new Dodge Dakota uses aluminum in various
components and its multiplexed instrument panel reduces weight as well as
wiring complexity.  Ford trimmed over 50 pounds from its new Lincoln Mark VIII
by using aluminum and various composite materials," she added.
    All three companies introduced aluminum engines, which are becoming more
common thanks largely to technologies developed in part through USCAR, she
added.
    An example of USCAR research yielding environmental benefits is found in
GM's 1997 vehicles with four-cylinder engines, containing new oxygen sensors
produced with an intelligent welding process that results in lower emissions.
    For the future, USCAR efforts promise more far-reaching benefits.  Major
environmental improvements could result from an aggressive USCAR program to
develop and verify a virtually emission-free powder paint clear-coating
process that could replace liquid clear-coat paints on cars and trucks.
    Sport utility vehicles, which are becoming increasingly popular among
consumers, will benefit from USCAR's standardized trailer tow connectors,
which reduce cost and increase customer convenience.  Currently, there seem to
be virtually as many tow connector and wiring harness styles as there are
trailers.
    Another USCAR team recently began a new project to accelerate research on
"smart" air bags aimed at reducing crash fatalities and injuries related to
air bags that properly deploy during collisions.
    In another program related to both vehicle safety and fuel economy,
engineers from the three companies reached a milestone by successfully crash
testing a vehicle equipped with all advanced lightweight composite structure
into a barrier at 35 miles-per-hour.  The structure, which is designed for
mass production, cuts vehicle weight by 25 percent and meets federal
crash-safety standards.
    USCAR also is involved in the industry-government Partnership for a New
Generation of Vehicles, which is developing affordable, breakthrough fuel-
efficiency technologies for mid-sized family sedans.
    "By working together on an array of projects -- some that involve
government, suppliers, universities and entrepreneurs -- we can accelerate the
pace at which technology responds to environmental, societal and consumer
needs in a cost-effective way," said Ronald Beeber, USCAR communications
director.
    "For more information about this cooperative research, visit USCAR's
Internet site at http://uscar.org," said Beeber.  "We think engineers,
researchers, consumers, car enthusiasts, automotive suppliers,
environmentalists -- even students doing term papers -- will find our site of
great interest."

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CONTACT: Ron Beeber, communications director, 313-248-4298, or Ann Smith, 313-248-4307, both of USCAR