Solutia Automotive Reports Record Number of Concept And Production Vehicles With Its Interlayers at 2003 NAIAS

    DETROIT, Jan. 29 -- According to Solutia
Automotive, the use of laminated automotive glass is on the rise for both
concept and production vehicles, and no place was that more evident than the
2003 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), which concluded Monday,
Jan. 20.  The glass used in the side, rear, roof and advanced windshields on
nearly 30 vehicles displayed at the show contained either Solutia's Saflex(R)
brand interlayer or its Vanceva(TM) (pronounced van-SEE-va) brand advanced
interlayer.  This was the largest collection of vehicles using Solutia's glass
interlayers assembled at one auto show.
    "The North American International Auto Show was an extremely positive sign
for the future of laminated auto glass," said Jay Pyper, worldwide automotive
market development manager for Solutia Automotive.  "This show was a milestone
in that it demonstrated the trend of laminated glass transitioning from the
concept design studios onto production vehicles."
    The reasons behind the increasing popularity of laminated glass equates to
the variety of distinct benefits provided, according to Pyper.  The base
product, polyvinyl butyral (PVB), marketed by Solutia Automotive under the
Saflex(R) brand, has been used in windshields for more than 60 years.  But
now, NVH and design engineers, and product planners, are discovering the
benefits of using an interlayer in the side, rear and roof windows as well.
This new category of automotive glass is known in the industry as Enhanced
Protective Glass (EPG).
    Additionally, concept and production vehicle designers are discovering the
aesthetic benefits of Solutia's advanced interlayers marketed under the
Vanceva(TM) brand.  One of the products, Vanceva(TM) Color, allows designers
to specify a glass interlayer from an almost infinite palette of colors to
complement or contrast a vehicle's coating.  Vanceva(TM) Color was featured on
nine vehicles at the NAIAS.
    Both products provide all the benefits of using a PVB interlayer:
    *  Noise intrusion into the vehicle can be reduced by up to six decibels,
according to tests conducted by Solutia.
    *  Intrusion resistance is increased ten times because it is more
difficult to penetrate the tough PVB interlayer, unlike tempered glass, which
can shatter upon impact.
    *  Solar benefits include blocking 95 percent of harmful UV rays.  With
the inclusion of an additional film material in the interlayer "sandwich," the
interlayer can also reflect infrared rays, reducing heat buildup inside a
vehicle.

    Concept vehicles at the NAIAS using Vanceva(TM) Color were the:
    Aston Martin AMV8 Vantage
    Ford 427
    Ford Freestyle FX
    Mercury Messenger
    Cadillac Sixteen
    Buick Centieme
    Chevrolet Cheyenne
    Chevrolet SS
    Pontiac G6
    Infiniti Triant

    Production vehicles on display using either the Saflex(R) or the
Vanceva(TM) brand were the:
    Audi A8
    Bentley Continental GT
    Lincoln Navigator
    Lincoln Aviator
    Volvo S60
    Volvo S80
    Volvo 70R Wagon
    Buick Rendezvous*
    Buick Park Avenue SE*
    Pontiac Grand Prix*
    Lexus LS 430
    Maybach
    Mercedes-Benz CL Class V8 Kompressor
    Mercedes-Benz S Class
    Porsche Targa

    *Uses a wedge-type interlayer in windshield in conjunction with heads-up
display technology.

    "Composition technology has increased to the level where the use of an
interlayer in side, rear and roof automotive glass is not only feasible, but
preferred.  We will quickly begin to see this technology move from auto shows
to dealer showrooms," concluded Pyper.
    Solutia Automotive manufactures interlayers used in laminated automotive
glass, and is not a glass producer itself.  For more information, please visit
http://www.solutiaautomotive.com .
    Solutia Inc. , an independent, publicly owned enterprise
headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, has a major presence in both national
and international markets.  Solutia produces Saflex(R) and Vanceva(TM) brand
polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayers, that are used to manufacture the
laminated glass used in automotive, architectural and residential applications
throughout the world, and is the sole supplier of PVB for aircraft -- the most
demanding application.  The company's other businesses include synthetic
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 .