Tennessee Honors the Spouse of Nissan President/CEO with the Official Naming of an African Violet

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--April 28, 2004--The State of Tennessee, through the generous support of a world renowned commercial flower grower located here, has honored the wife of Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Nissan Motor Company, Ltd., by presenting her with a special flower officially named in her honor.

Rita Ghosn, an avid gardener, was honored recently with the naming of a one of a kind African violet developed by Optimara, an international commercial African violet grower that operates a facility in Nashville. Governor Phil Bredesen presented the honor on a recent trip by the Ghosns to Tennessee.

Nissan is the state's largest automotive manufacturer, with facilities in Dechard and Smyrna, Tenn. The Ghosns traveled to Tennessee to visit with company officials.

The "Rita" variety is a bi-color, red and white violet with dark green leaves. The flower, which took 18 months to develop, was officially named and documented by Optimara in Mrs. Ghosn's honor. The flower is currently on display and is being marketed worldwide on Optimara's web site as Variety Number 399 at www.optimara.com.