ADESA Corp. Announces Restructuring of Senior Management

    INDIANAPOLIS--Jan. 9, 2003--ADESA Corp. announced today a restructuring of senior management. The restructuring will consolidate functions and improve efficiencies and synergies among the auction networks in the United States and Canada.
    Brian Warner, President of ADESA Corp.'s U.S. operations, will return to Toronto as President of ADESA's Canadian operations, which include 13 whole car auctions and 12 salvage auctions. Warner said that he has enjoyed leading ADESA's U.S. operations for the past 18 months, and is eager to implement the restructuring and consolidation of staff, resources and services between Canadian and U.S. operations.
    "ADESA couldn't have a more committed and valuable player than Brian Warner," said Jim Hallett, Chairman and CEO of ALLETE Automotive Services, Inc. "Brian has a diverse skill set that is uniquely suited to this company, and his recent efforts in the U.S. have been a major factor in positioning us for the future."
    Dale Hewitt, current President of ADESA Canada, will continue with the company as General Manager of ADESA Vancouver and Western Regional Manager.
    "ADESA Canada recently completed construction of a new facility for its Vancouver auction. Dale is our best custodian for this strategic asset," Hallett said. "Relocating Dale back to Vancouver is another example of putting our talent closer to the customer, and it allows Dale to return to the auction he called home for 30 years."
    Hallett explained that these moves are the result of a continued effort to reduce ADESA's operating expenses and to anticipate shifts in vehicle supply and market conditions.
    "We will continue to be lean, focused and proactive, in order to better meet market demands," Hallett said.
    Hallett will continue to oversee all of ALLETE's automotive service businesses, including the day-to-day responsibility for ADESA's U.S. operations. In the role of President of ADESA Corp., Hallett will work closely with ADESA's existing senior management team, including Don Harris, COO; Charles Tapp, Vice President of Sales & Marketing; Paul Lips, CFO; Terry Daniels, CIO; and Karen Turner, Senior Vice President & General Counsel.
    Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., ADESA Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of ALLETE, Inc. . Through its network of subsidiaries, ADESA operates 53 wholesale vehicle auctions and six heavy-duty commercial vehicle auctions strategically located across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The ADESA network of companies operates several other related businesses in the vehicle remarketing industry including ADESA Impact total loss management (with 24 auction locations), Automotive Finance Corporation (AFC) dealer financing, Micro 21 dealer software, AutoVin inspection services, PAR North America remarketing services, and ADESA Importation Services (AIS). For further information on ADESA Corporation, call 1-800-923-3725 or go to www.adesa.com.
    The statements contained in this release and statements that ADESA may make orally in connection with this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and investors are directed to the risks in documents filed by ALLETE, ADESA Corporation's parent company, with the Securities and Exchange Commission.