Volkswagen New Beetles Land in Roswell!

Volkswagen of America, Inc. Acknowledges: The Truth Is Out There - To Be Revealed at 5th Anniversary 'Roswell 2K Car Show Weekend'

ROSWELL, N.M., May 17 -- DON'T PANIC! This June mysterious pods are poised to produce random sightings in metropolises across America! War of the Worlds? No, Volkswagen New Beetles! Six New Beetle caravans will begin their cross-country trek June 14 from strategic points across the nation -- all making a B(eetle)-Line for the 5th Annual "Roswell 2K Car Show Weekend," June 18 - 20.

Held in Roswell, N.M, famous for a 1947 UFO crash that was reported then later denied by the U.S. military, the event is the largest New Beetle Celebration in the World with more than 20,000 participants expected to attend the three days of festivities.

This year, Volkswagen of America, Inc. will present the evening "Sky Watch Party," Friday, June 18 where participants will scan the nighttime skies for anything out of the ordinary. (And, something out of the ordinary is bound to occur).

The Roswell 2K event also features a New Beetle car show on Saturday June 19 in downtown Roswell, followed by a New Beetle Parade down Roswell's historic Main Street. Dean Jones, star of the original Walt Disney "Love Bug" movies will serve as parade Grand Marshall. Saturday night, the Roswell Zoo plays host to an "Alien Picnic" event featuring an Alien Costume Contest, food and games for the kids. On Sunday, New Beetle owners will tour the International UFO Museum and then cruise to Carlsbad, NM for the "Buffalo Hump Rally." Later that night, the New Beetles will take in a flick at the local drive-in movie theatre.

The Roswell 2K event originally grew out of two significant New Beetle occurrences. The first was the online frenzy generated by the car's official launch in 1998. As new cars left dealer showrooms for the open road, Volkswagen enthusiast websites excitedly 'buzzed' with initial New Beetle 'sightings' from across the country. In 1999, the die for an event and its Roswell setting were firmly cast with the airing of a New Beetle commercial which stated (tongue firmly in cheek) that the car was "reverse-engineered by UFOs."

The rest, as they say, is history.

Information for the various caravans is available online at: www.roswell2k.org. Check the Caravans page for a full itinerary.

   Western Caravan     Central Caravan       Houston Caravan
   Cabazon, CA         Ontario, Canada       Houston, TX
   Lordsburg, NM,      Dayton, OH            Austin, TX
   Las Cruces, NM      Oklahoma City, OK

   Denver Caravan      Eastern Caravan       Atlanta Caravan
   Denver, CO          Winchester, VA        Atlanta, GA
   Vaughn, NM          Nashville, TN         Jackson, MS
                       Texarkana, AR         Dallas, TX
                       Sweetwater, TX        Sweetwater, TX
                       Dallas, TX

  Schedule of Events:

   *  June 18 Friday 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. -- SkyWatch Party/Alien Encounter
      presented by Volkswagen of America, Inc. at the "Club House," a
      banquet hall nine miles west of Roswell on U.S. Highway 70.  As
      caravans roll into town, they can join in and help scan the skies for
      UFOs.

   *  June 19 Saturday 9 a.m. -- The big event starts in the morning with
      the car show at the Roswell Convention and Civic Center.  Judging will
      take place in over 60 New Beetle categories including
      "Furthest Driven," "Best Stock," "Best Toy Display" and more.
      Returning this year is the "Customize Barbie's New Beetle"
      competition.  Participants are invited to "go nuts" with the Barbie
      toy car and do crazy things they wouldn't do with their own cars.
      Inside the Convention and Civic Center, vendors of all descriptions
      will offer items for the cars and their owners.

   *  June 19 Saturday 3 p.m. -- In the afternoon, there will be "New Beetle
      Parade" as hundreds of New Beetles ride down Main Street including
      Shamu, Betty Boop and more.  Actor Dean Jones, star of Walt Disney's
      original "Love Bug" movies, will serve as parade Grand Marshall.

   *  June 19 Saturday 7 p.m. -- Alien Zoo Picnic at the Roswell Zoo.

   *  June 20 Sunday Morning -- The caravan will tour the UFO International
      Museum in Roswell, then caravan to Carlsbad, N.M.

   *  June 20 Sunday -- Carlsbad, N.M. -- "Buffalo Hump" Rally beginning at
      the Carlsbad "Beach."  Participants will be given instructions to
      follow a route that will take them to many unique places in the
      Carlsbad area, ending at the Fiesta Drive-in Theater.  After the
      trophies are presented, participants will watch the movie in the open
      air.

The Roswell New Beetle Convention was created as a result of the 1999 Volkswagen of America New Beetle commercial stating that the new cars were "reverse engineered from UFOs." From UFOs to Bottomless Lakes to Dragonflies, Roswell has something out-of-this world for everyone to enjoy. Visitors can indulge in art, entertainment and outdoor activities. With stunning natural attractions and beautiful weather year-round, Roswell offers small-town charm with an endless variety of activities for all ages. For more information call the Roswell Visitors Center at (888) ROSWELL or visit online at www.roswell-nm.net.

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.