Schwarzenegger Pulls Out in Front as Weekend's Box Office Winner; SUVOA Congratulates Gov. Schwarzenegger With USA Today Ad

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2003 -- The Sport Utility Vehicle Owners of America (SUVOA) today celebrated "one of their own" in congratulating SUV owner and new governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, with a full-page ad in the Sacramento/San Francisco regional edition of USA Today. Schwarzenegger leads the state with the most SUVs in the country -- more than 3.5 million.

"The 24 million SUV owners across the country are paying close attention as Schwarzenegger becomes governor of California," said Jason Vines, president of SUVOA. "The world's most well-known SUV owner takes office at a time when Predators like the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) are waging war against the SUV, not only in California, but throughout the United States. After claiming victory in the Total Recall election that could have passed for a Hollywood blockbuster, we offer our congratulations to the new governor and wish him well."

In the style of a movie poster, the congratulatory ad bills a fictitious flick: "Bringing California Back" starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Incorporating SUV model names into a description of the movie's plot, the poster reads:

"From Suburban(TM) LA to the Sequoia(TM) forests, he'll be a Trailblazer(TM), a Pathfinder(TM) and a 4Runner(TM) in turning the state's economy into a HUMMER(TM)."

SUV names also find their way into critics' quotes. Schwarzenegger's new role is called "A Rendezvous(TM) with history." Another quote reads simply "Jeepers(TM)!"

The ad follows SUVOA's July 2003 "What Does Jesus Rivera Drive?" ad, which poked fun at anti-SUV critics' misguided efforts and illogical tactics.

SUVOA was formed to give voice to the 24 million SUV owners whose rights are being trampled by special interest and activist groups, as well as to provide consumers with practical information about their SUVs. Founded in 1999, the group actively defends the rights of SUV owners and rebuts false charges regarding the safety and environmental record of SUVs. For more information, visit http://www.suvoa.com/ .

A high-resolution image of the USA Today ad is available at http://louie.stratacomm.net/SUVOA/SUVOA_Arnold.pdf .

NOTE TO EDITORS: To conduct an interview with Jason Vines, contact SUVOA at 877-44-SUVOA (877-447-8862).