Michelin Presents 'Best of Show' and 'Design Enabler' at Eyes on Design/Awards

    DETROIT, Jan. 8, 2003; Continuing its commitment to advancing and
recognizing innovative design work, Michelin sponsored the "Best of Show" and
"Design Enabler" awards at the Eyes on Design/Awards reception last evening.
Michelin presented the "Best of Show" award to General Motors for the 2003
Chevrolet Cheyenne full-size concept pickup.  General Motors also won the
"Design Enabler" award, sponsored by Michelin, for the GM Hy-wire.
    Designers from around the globe gather at the Eyes on Design/Awards
reception each year to recognize their peers for outstanding achievement.
Michelin and Johnson Controls were the signature sponsors of the event, which
brought out leading media and design professionals to recognize and honor the
designers who have created the most significant designs on display at the 2003
North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).
    "These awards are chosen by designers to recognize design excellence,"
said Tom Chubb.  "This year's NAIAS is filled with outstanding and innovative
vehicles.  To be selected as the best in this world-class showcase is a true
achievement for any vehicle development team."
    For Michelin, design and innovation go hand-in-hand.  "Drivers will not
choose form over function," said Chubb.  "Both must excel to achieve success.
Michelin has a passion for innovation and excellence.  Demanding that in
ourselves and inspiring that in others is fundamental to our efforts."
    It was a night of awards for General Motors, taking home a total of seven
design awards.  The Cheyenne picked up four of the GM awards.  The GM Hy-wire
received one, while the Cadillac V-16 Sedan picked up two awards.
    The Honda Element received three awards for most significant production
truck design; most significant production truck, exterior design; and most
significant production truck, interior design.  The Bentley Continental GT
Coupe received two awards for the most significant production car, exterior
design and most significant production car design.
    Ford Motor Company received awards for the Mercury Messenger (most
significant concept car - interior design) and an award for the most
significant exhibit design.  The final award was given to the Audi A8 for the
most significant production car - interior design.

    Michelin's design activities at the 2003 North American International Auto
Show included:
    *  Designer Night Reception -- A reception for the industry's top
designers and media at Opus One, Monday, Jan. 6, 2003.  Many of the world's
leading automotive designers were in attendance.
    *  Michelin Challenge Design(TM) -- Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003, Michelin
recognized designers from 13 countries at the Michelin Challenge Design Press
Conference and issued the next global design challenge for 2004 -- a focus on
the emerging market of China.
    *  AutoWeek Design Forum -- Michelin continued its support of the AutoWeek
Design Forum by co-sponsoring the event again this year, Wednesday, Jan. 8,
2003.
    *  Eyes on Design/Awards Reception -- Michelin was a co-sponsor of the
event to recognize the top designers from this year's NAIAS, Jan. 7, 2003.
    *  CCS Design Competition -- Winning entries from the 14th Annual Michelin
Design Competition for College of Creative Studies (CCS) Students are on
display as part of the Michelin Challenge Design in Michigan Hall.

    "The concept vehicle designs and the new production models on display in
Detroit exhibit a passion for design excellence and innovation," Chubb said.
"Michelin is proud to be an integral part of the design process as a supplier,
an innovator, and a technical partner with the best designers in the world."
    Michelin manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including
airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty
trucks and the space shuttle.  The company also publishes travel guides, maps
and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America.  Headquartered in
Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America (http://www.michelin.com ) employs 25,900
and operates 22 plants in 18 locations.