Volkswagen and Trek Spin the Wheels Together - Pro Mountain Bike Team Members Poised for Olympic Run

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 22 -- As the Summer Olympics prepare for their historic return to the site of the very first Olympiad in Athens, Greece, the continuation of Volkswagen of America, Inc.'s long-time partnership with Trek Bicycles paves the way for a possible run for Olympic gold. For the eighth straight year, Volkswagen will serve as the exclusive automotive sponsor of Trek's cycling teams, which includes a Professional Mountain Bike Team with cyclists among those favored to qualify for and compete on the U.S. Olympic team.

Since 1996, Volkswagen and Trek have teamed to bring the professional mountain bike team to top competitions across the United States -- a pairing that ranks among the longest and best-known automotive/cycling partnerships ever. In addition to the Pro Mountain team, six regional mountain bike and nine regional road teams -- a total of over 120 athletes combined -- compete nationwide under the Trek/Volkswagen banner. In addition, five regional Trek/Volkswagen Demo teams criss-cross the country in five fully loaded Volkswagen Touareg SUVs, carrying a veritable fleet of Trek bicycles for consumers of all abilities to test ride.

The 2004 Trek Volkswagen Mountain Bike Team includes some of the world's top riders; each with a proven history of championship-winning potential, including:

Jeremiah Bishop, a member of the Trek/Volkswagen East Coast Regional Team, is currently the points leader in the Olympic chase for American men. The 28- year-old from Harrisonburg, Virginia, had a breakout year in 2003, including a huge win at the Pan-Am Games in the Dominican Republic.

Sue Haywood recently was featured in USA Today as a top contender for one of two Olympic slots available for U.S. Women. The West Virginia cross- country racer and 2003 NORBA National Champion was also recently voted "North American Female Mountain Bike Racer of the Year" by Velo News. Haywood has gained significant ground every year and is ready to make this her "career year."

Roland Green, the 2001 World Cup and World Championship titleholder, is optimistic about his return as one of the strongest riders on the circuit, following an injury-plagued 2003 season.

Travis Brown has won state cyclocross titles in Colorado and Wisconsin this past winter. The 1999 NORBA National Champ is ready to attack that circuit again this year, while continuing to provide Trek with research and development data as he tests new products out on the race course.

Wade Bootes, recently voted "Australia's BMX rider of The Year" and the 2001 World Dual Slalom Champion, will once again be battling elbow to elbow with the best gravity riders. Wade is one of the most personable riders on the circuit and, when he's not racing his Trek mountain bike, he remains a top BMX racer as well.

In addition to these returning riders, Trek/Volkswagen is excited to announce the arrival of its newest team member: the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg. Although relatively new to the SUV market, the Touareg has already been busy racking up award-winning titles in its rookie year including Motor Trend Magazine's "SUV of The Year". The Touareg is sure to add measurably to the Trek/Volkswagen partnership, which continues to set the standard by which other cross-promotional activities in the cycling industry are measured.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen of America and its affiliates employ approximately 3,000 people in the United States and are responsible for the sale and service of Audi, Bentley, and Volkswagen products through retail networks comprising in total more than 900 independent U.S. dealers.

Based in Waterloo, Wisconsin, Trek Bicycle Corporation was founded in 1976 and today is the world's largest manufacturer of bicycles sold exclusively through Authorized Dealers. Trek employs 1500 people worldwide and produces a full line of bicycles and accessories that are distributed in over 65 countries.