PRESS RELEASE

Chevrolet Announces Production Plans for Natural Gas Pickups

5 February 1997

    DETROIT, Feb. 5 -- General Motors announced
production plans for fully certified "factory package" bi-fuel compressed
natural gas (CNG) Chevrolet C2500 and GMC Sierra full-size pickups for the
1997 model year.
    "These natural gas pickup trucks have undergone an extensive and rigorous
Original Equipment Manufacturer's (OEM) development and validation process to
operate on both gasoline and compressed natural gas," said Richard A. Moreau,
program manager, alternative fuel vehicles for GM.  We wanted to be sure these
trucks would exceed customer expectations for safety, quality, performance and
durability.  In fact, these trucks were designed and developed to the same
standards as any GM product, making them a true OEM vehicle."
    The full-size Chevrolet and GMC pickups use a Vortec 5700 V8 engine
specially modified to be gaseous fuel compatible, and carry a full
GM 3-year/36,000 mile "Bumper to Bumper Plus" no-deductible warranty.
    Buyers can have the vehicles serviced at the dealership where they are
purchased and at other participating dealers.
    The CNG option will carry a $5,800 MSRP, but total ownership costs can be
partially offset by fuel cost savings, income tax credits on refueling
equipment, and incentives available from various local gas utilities,
according to Moreau.  All applicable fleet incentives apply to these vehicles.
    The Chevrolet and GMC pickups are bi-fuel natural gas, with automatic
switchover to gasoline.  These trucks will be certified to California low
emission vehicle (LEV) emission standards on natural gas and provide both
operational and environmental advantages including emission reduction and
lower fuel costs.
    The Chevrolet C2500 and GMC Sierra bi-fuel pickups should appeal to fleet
and commercial customers who face federal mandates to purchase vehicles that
run on CNG.  Production and customer delivery will begin during the first
quarter of 1997.
    "Most commercial customers who want to use compressed natural gas prefer a
bi-fuel system," said Moreau.  "Chevrolet and GMC Truck are the only
manufacturers that will offer a CNG bi-fuel pickup in 1997."
    These pickups use a carbon-fiber wrapped steel compressed natural gas tank
which has passed an extremely rigorous General Motors CNG tank validation
process.  The CNG tank has a 13-gallon equivalent to gasoline capacity at 3600
PSI.  In addition, a 34-gallon standard gasoline fuel tank is also provided.
    Alternative Fuel Technology components, designed by IMPCO engineers
working in conjunction with GM engineers, are provided by IMPCO Technologies
Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Sensors, Inc., the world's largest
manufacturer of gaseous fuel components.  IMPCO, located in Cerritos,
California, is the exclusive systems partner to GM for these vehicles.
    General Motors has been a leader in developing alternative fuel
technologies for more than 25 years.
    "These trucks represent the latest in bi-fuel natural gas vehicles,"
Moreau said.  "Along with GM's newly introduced EV1 electric car and electric
Chevrolet S-Series compact pickup truck, they support GM's strategy to develop
a portfolio of high technology, market-driven, alternative fuel vehicles."

SOURCE  Chevrolet Motor Division