Polk Auto Trend Center Report: NAIAS Charity Preview Attendees And Members Of The Auto Industry Have Similar 'In Vehicle Feature' Interests

    DETROIT, Jan. 13 Today the Polk Company released the
fourth in a series of trend reports direct from the North American
International Auto Show (NAIAS).  Today's report summarizes opinions collected
from attendees at the 2001 NAIAS Charity Preview and compares them with those
of the media and others in the automotive community.  Both respondent groups
share interests in vehicle colors and in product features most wanted for
their next vehicle.  The favorite concept vehicle among charity preview
attendees was the Volkswagen Microbus.

As the NAIAS opens to the public, Polk will release trend reports that
describe public sentiment toward the automakers, their products and the NAIAS.
Consumers will have access to Polk's trend centers beginning Jan. 13.

    About Polk
    Polk has served the automotive industry for nearly 80 years and is the
longest standing curator of automobile records in the United States.  Founded
in Detroit in 1870, Polk launched its motor vehicle statistical operations in
1922 when the first car registration reports were published.  It now provides
automotive solutions to nearly every segment of the motor vehicle industry as
an analytic consultant and statistician, as a provider of database-marketing
services, as a supplier of vehicle histories, and as a data enabler for
geographic information systems.  Based in Southfield, Mich., Polk is a
privately held global firm, currently operating in Australia, Canada, China,
France, Germany, Holland, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

    POLK/NAIAS - Auto Trend Center Report

    Which of the following product features would you most want for your next
vehicle?

                                     Charity Preview     Media and Auto
                                     Attendees           Industry Respondents*

    Voice-activated controls             26%                 17%
    DVD player with screen built
     into center console                 26%                 13%
    Onboard computers with
     Internet and E-mail access          21%                 13%
    On-line/satellite mapping or
     navigation system                   38%                 33%
    Remote activation of home
     features
    (e.g. security system, lights)       20%                 13%
    Fax machine                          16%                  5%
    Hands-free cell phone                48%                 46%
    Electronic or alternative
     fuel source                         23%                 26%

    For both groups, hands-free cell phones and on-line/satellite mapping or
navigation systems were "must-have" features for their next vehicle.
    The third most wanted product feature among charity preview attendees were
voice-activated controls and DVD players; media and auto industry respondents
chose electronic or alternative fuel source automobiles in this category.

    What is your favorite vehicle color?

                                  Charity Preview      Media and Auto Industry
                                  Attendees            Respondents*
    Black                            23%                    20%
    Blue                             12%                    16%
    Brown                             0%                     1%
    Gold                              4%                     3%
    Green                             8%                     8%
    Orange                            4%                     3%
    Purple/Violet                     2%                     4%
    Red                              18%                    12%
    Silver/Gray                      17%                    19%
    White                             5%                     5%
    Yellow                            8%                     7%

    The favorite vehicle color among both respondent groups was black; blue,
red and silver/gray rounded out the top four.
    *Includes manufacturers, suppliers, and dealers.

    Based on overall appearance, which concept vehicle is your favorite?

    CHARITY PREVIEW ATTENDEES
    Concept Vehicle:
    1.  Volkswagen Microbus          8.2%
    2.  Ford Forty-Nine              7.1%
        Volvo SCC                    7.1%
    3.  BMW X Coupe                  6.1%
        Dodge Crossfire              6.1%
        Infiniti FX45                6.1%

    Of the attendees who visited a Polk Auto Trend Center, 29% said they would
be likely to purchase their favorite concept vehicle if it went into
production this year.