Desert European Motorcars Celebrating $15-Million Facility In Two Grand-Opening Events

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif., Feb. 28 -- Desert European Motorcars Ltd. is holding two grand-opening events in March for its 7.5-acre, $15-million new facility here. For the past three years, the company has been the worldwide leader in sales of Bentley and Rolls-Royce automobiles.

The primary celebration, on Friday evening, March 7, is for Desert European Motorcars customers, who have bought or had service for their Audi, Bentley, Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche or Rolls-Royce automobiles. On that night, each building in the company's "Village" will be decorated in a brand-related theme -- such as "Africa" in the Land Rover building -- with appropriate music, food and drink.

In addition, Desert European Motorcars expects to have on display: the new Formula One Jaguar; the Jaguar XKR as seen in the "Austin Powers" and "James Bond" movies; the new Porsche SUV Cayenne; and the totally redesigned Rolls-Royce Phantom Motorcar.

"We made our home in the Coachella Valley because of the fundamental strength of the business climate," said Frank Hickingbotham, CEO and chairman of the board, who also founded TCBY in 1981. "The entire area is one of progress and excitement, and there has been tremendous commitment to development and growth.

"The Valley offers a strong opportunity to provide customers with high-quality, high-end automobiles," Hickingbotham said. "The people that live and vacation here enjoy themselves tremendously, and we are pleased that our fine automobiles can be a part of that enjoyment."

David Murphy, president of Desert European Motorcars, said: "These events are our way of saying 'thank you' to the many people who have become an integral part of our professional lives and who welcomed us into the Valley, especially the people of Rancho Mirage.

"Together we worked hard to create an automobile sales and service facility, which does not look nor feel like a conventional car dealership," Murphy said. "We made the effort to design the Village so that it blends into the Desert landscape, and is respectful to the environment."

Desert European Motorcars also is holding a celebration Thursday evening, March 6, for those involved in designing and building the new facility -- City of Rancho Mirage officials, local financial leaders, automotive manufacturers, architects and contractors.

In addition to Hickingbotham and Murphy, top executives of several automotive manufacturers are expected to attend. From Bentley: Alasdair Stewart, CEO and president, Bentley Motors USA, Auburn Hills, Mich. (March 6 only) and Neil Morley, vice president. From Rolls-Royce: Howard Mosher, vice president-worldwide sales and marketing, Derby, England; Peter Miles, general manager, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars USA. From Primus Automotive (Jaguar and Land Rover): Andrew Menzyk, CEO, Franklin, Tenn.; and Hank Shorro, vice president (Financial).

From Aston-Martin-Jaguar-Land Rover North America: Richard Beattie, executive vice president of marketing & sales; Doug Speck, vice president of retail operations; Carrie Catherine, franchise development manager; and Mark Scarpato, vice president of franchise operations. From Jaguar: George Ayres, vice president of marketing. From Porsche: Richard Ford, vice president-North America, Atlanta, and Ross Dupper, president, Porsche Credit, Lisle, Ill.

Desert European Motorcars is a privately held company with $90 million in 2002 sales, serving customers from all over the world from its Rancho Mirage facility. The dealership sells and services Audi, Bentley, Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche and Rolls-Royce automobiles. For the past three years, the company has been the worldwide leader in sales of Bentley and Rolls-Royce automobiles. For more information, call 800/347-4709 or visit the Web at www.deserteuropean.com .