ASC to Sponsor AutoWeek/Automotive News Specialty Vehicle Forum

ASC Promo Video(4:20)

* Speakers Include GM's Mark Reuss and DaimlerChrysler's Rich Rae * ASC to Unveil 500-h.p. SSR 'Diamondback' Immediately Afterward

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 27 -- ASC Incorporated, a full-service specialty-vehicle design and development partner for automotive manufacturers, will once again be the host sponsor of the second annual AutoWeek/Automotive News Specialty Vehicle Forum here next Monday afternoon just prior to the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show. The forum, to be held in ballrooms C-G of the Las Vegas Hilton from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. PT (registration begins at 2:00 p.m.) and expected to attract up to 200 industry executives, is virtually the only forum in the industry to address the high- image, trend-setting specialty-vehicle market, as well as to address related issues affecting not just the aftermarket but also automakers and dealers.

Speakers at the forum will be: Mark Reuss, executive director of architectural engineering and GM Performance Division, General Motors Corp.; Rich Rae, director of Mopar sales, marketing and supply, DaimlerChrysler Corp.; Mike Kaptuch, president of wheel-maker BBS of America; and Dave Draper, CEO of Time Machines Unlimited. The forum, including a panel discussion with the speakers, will be moderated by Keith Crain, publisher of Automotive News and editorial director of AutoWeek. Its theme is "Cure for the Common Car: How OE's and SEMA Companies Can Turn the Magic of SEMA Into Increased Sales and Profits."

"ASC is proud to be the host sponsor of this unique, in-depth forum for the second year running," said Jeff Steiner, ASC's executive vice president and chief marketing officer. "In an era when average annual sales per nameplate in America are fast approaching just 40,000 unit retail sales, specialty vehicles and mainstream vehicles are starting to converge more than ever. Specialty vehicles are no longer for just 'certifiable car-crazies'; they can be, and should be, an integral part of the serious business planning of every OEM and dealer. And this forum is an excellent place to find out where specialty vehicles themselves are heading."

"The Specialty Vehicle Forum is fast becoming like the Automotive News World Congress for specialty cars," said Rich Ceppos, publisher of AutoWeek. "It's an event not to miss if you're at all interested in the future of specialty vehicles and/or their impact on mainstream markets, whether you're an automaker, an aftermarket supplier, a dealer or just plain automotive enthusiast."

As an indication of the growing importance of the forum, SEMA officials this year have chosen it as the venue at which to hand out the final two of the organization's three annual "SEMA Design Awards." The awards are given to those automakers whose production vehicles are designed with accessorization most in mind. Chris Kersting, SEMA's president and CEO, will be on hand to handle the honors.

An ASC press conference will also immediately follow the Specialty Vehicle Forum, in which the company will introduce a specially modified Chevrolet SSR concept vehicle dubbed the "ASC SSR Diamondback," for its super-light, carbon- fiber fixed roof and upper body, and for its supercharged 6.0-liter, 500-plus- horsepower engine.

Tickets for the Specialty Vehicle Forum are $125 per person and can be obtained from Crain Communications online at http://www.autonews.com/anEvents.cms , or by calling +1-313-446-6041.

ASC is a full-service specialty-vehicle design and development partner for automotive manufacturers. Its award-winning programs include vehicle development and sub-assembly of the Chevrolet SSR (winner of a "Gold" award in the 2004 Industrial Design Excellence Awards, or IDEA, competition sponsored by Business Week magazine); convertible systems for the BMW Z4, Toyota Solara and Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder; and numerous appearance programs and body packages for such products as the Dodge SRT-4, Dodge Viper SRT-10 and Pontiac Grand Am SC/T. Founded in 1965 and headquartered in Southgate, Mich., the company employs more than 1,000 car nuts at 10 facilities in the U.S. and Germany, and is on the Web at http://www.ascglobal.com/ .

AutoWeek is "the magazine for the ultimate car enthusiast." America's only weekly car-enthusiast publication, it delivers the latest news, information and insights on new cars and trucks, vintage vehicles, motorsports, automotive trends and "the people who make it all happen -- everything about 'the automotive lifestyle.'" Paid circulation is 350,000 per week.

Automotive News is widely recognized as a critical source of news, data, analysis and information for the North American auto industry. It is the flagship of a worldwide group of publications that also includes Automotive News Europe and Automobilwoche. The weekly publication provides in-depth coverage of the auto industry and is written for automakers, dealers and suppliers. Automotive News' circulation is over 81,000 and it is the only 100%-paid publication in the industry.