Enhanced Protective Glass Now Available For Impala Police Vehicles, Reports Solutia Inc.

    DETROIT, April 19 Enhanced Protective Glass (EPG), a new,
improved product category of side and rear window glass increasingly requested
for new trucks and automobiles, is now available for General Motors' Impala
police vehicles through an exclusive partnership between Kerr Industries
Limited, PPG Industries, Inc., and Solutia Inc.  Beginning in May 2001, law
enforcement agencies can purchase EPG as an option on their Impala vehicles,
according to Anne Cook, director of fleet marketing for Solutia.
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    EPG, similar to the glass currently used in nearly all automobile
windshields worldwide, provides many benefits to law enforcement agencies
purchasing Impala police vehicles.
    *  Protection from flying glass -- EPG tends to remain intact after
repeated impacts.
    *  Protection from theft and vandalism -- EPG is a deterrent to theft,
vandalism and break-in attempts.
    *  Protection from wind and traffic noise entering the vehicle -- EPG cuts
down on sounds which can interfere with radio transmission and critical
communication between officers and their dispatch centers.
    "A number of auto makers are now using EPG in their new vehicle
platforms," said Cook, "EPG will offer law enforcement agencies a unique
combination of benefits that will help protect officers and their vehicles,"
she added.
    "Given the variety of situations officers and their vehicles must face in
the line of duty, we believe EPG is an excellent glazing product for the law
enforcement market," said Glenn Davis, OEM marketing manager for PPG.  "PPG is
committed to providing new products such as EPG to our customers."
    Brad Baker of Kerr Industries believes there will be demand for EPG from
his customers.  "The protective nature of EPG is a nice fit for the law
enforcement market," said Baker.  "As we look at the vehicle as a whole,
glazing is a major component.  EPG offers agencies the opportunity to demand
greater performance from their glazing and their vehicles."
    EPG for Impala police vehicles is formed by laminating a sheet of
polyvinyl butyral (PVB) between two sheets of glass under heat and pressure.
Solutia manufactures the PVB under the product name Saflex.  Detailed
information on EPG for law enforcement vehicles and a list of where you can
see it first-hand may be found at http://www.policecarglass.com (website will
be available April 23, 2001).  For other automotive applications, call
877-374-1374.
    Solutia Inc. , an independent, publicly owned enterprise
headquartered in St. Louis, has a major presence in both national and
international markets.  It is the world's largest producer of the PVB plastic
interlayer that is used to manufacture the laminated glass used in automotive
windshields, architectural and residential applications throughout the world,
and the only producer of PVB for aircraft -- the most demanding application.
The company's other businesses include man-made fibers, resins, aviation
hydraulic fluids, high-performance specialty chemicals and other performance
products.  Information about Solutia Inc. may be found at http://www.solutia.com .
    PPG Industries leads the way in glass technologies that improve the
comfort of passengers, protect the interior surfaces, provide multi-
functionality, and contribute to the vehicle's design and aesthetics.  In
addition, PPG supplies a complete line of glass replacement products to repair
outlets, including PPG PROSTARS(SM), the largest branded alliance of
independently owned auto glass replacement and repair shops in the United
States.
    Kerr Industries is the exclusive second stage manufacturer of the Impala
police vehicle for Chevrolet.

    Saflex is a registered trademark of Solutia Inc.