Automotive News and Delphi Announce 'Concept Car of the Year' Awards

29 September 2000

      Automotive News International and Delphi recognize new innovations
                            During awards ceremony

    PARIS, Sept. 28 Global automotive executives gathered
tonight with representatives from Automotive News International and Delphi
Automotive Systems to celebrate this year's most innovative
concept cars.  In an event hosted at the Union Centrale des Arts Decoratifs,
Palais du Louvre in Paris, winners were announced for six distinct concept car
categories including: Environmental Concept, Interior Concept, Exterior
Concept, Concept Car of the Year, USA Today's Consumers' Choice Award and the
Best of the Paris Motor Show.
    Automotive News International Publisher Keith Crain was present at the
ceremony and recognized the incredible talent that went into the cars.  "The
vehicles featured here -- both the finalists and those that won -- are truly
the wave of the future," said Crain.  "I am amazed by the talent and
dedication of the teams who developed these concept cars."
    "Tonight's winning vehicles display a phenomenal level of innovation,"
said J.T. Battenberg III, chairman, CEO and president, Delphi Automotive
Systems.  "All of the finalists were remarkable and represent the incredible
talent we have in our global industry."

    Winners for the six categories include:

    *  Concept Car of the Year - Pininfarina Rossa
      *  Second place - Mazda RX-Evolv
      *  Third place - SEAT Salsa

    *  Best of Paris Motor Show
      *  Porsche Carrera GT

    *  Environmental Concept - Fiat Ecobasic
      *  Second place - Honda FCX
      *  Third place - GM Precept

    *  Interior Concept - Renault Koleos
      *  Second place - Fiat Ecobasic
      *  Third place - Cadillac Imaj

    *  Exterior Concept - SEAT Salsa
      *  Second place - Pininfarina Rossa
      *  Third place - Mazda RX-Evolv

    *  USA Today Consumers' Choice Award - Cadillac Imaj
      *  Second place - Buick LaCrosse

    Judges selected the winners based on the cars' innovation, production
feasibility, production cost and consumer value.  Last year, six concept cars
won the first Automotive News International Concept Car of Year Awards held in
Tokyo.  New to the event this year is an award sponsored by USA Today, the
Consumers' Choice Award.  The winner was selected by an on-line survey at
usatoday.com that allowed consumers to logon and place a vote for their
favorite concept car.  More than 10,000 votes were cast.
    Automotive News International and Delphi Automotive Systems co-sponsored
the event.  Additional sponsors include:  Deloitte & Touche, Deloitte
Consulting, the City of Sunderland in northern England and USA Today.