GM's "Trucks for Texas" Campaign Debuts Austin Vehicle

Internationally Renowned Austin Native Bob "Daddy-O" Wade Creates Work of Art Celebrating Texas Wildlife

Austin, Texas - General Motors Corporation unveiled the next iteration of its "Trucks for Texas" campaign, a 2005 Chevy Silverado, which has been transformed into a work of art by nationally-recognized Austin artist Bob "Daddy-O" Wade. The Silverado, the second vehicle of GM's "Trucks for Texas" campaign, can be viewed today at Capitol Chevrolet in Austin.

"We're honored to add Bob Wade to the artist roster for GM's Trucks for Texas program," said Gary Cowger, President of GM North America. "‘Trucks for Texas’ is an artful expression of GM’s 50-year legacy and ongoing commitment to Texas. This campaign honors the state's culture, its pride and the unique vision of its identity, as seen through the eyes of Texas artists. The production, exhibition and events surrounding these special trucks celebrate Texas and will benefit some great local charities."

The GM "Trucks for Texas" campaign has commissioned local artists throughout Texas to transform select GM trucks into unique works of art, using various media including paint and sculpture and ranging in genre from graffiti to watercolor. The completed trucks will be exhibited in each of their respective cities over the next six months and will ultimately be donated to a local Texas charity in each area. The Austin vehicle will be donated to the local Austin chapter of The Nature Conservancy.

Wade’s design will reflect Austin wildlife and Texas culture with a landscape design featuring the Colorado River as it rolls through the Austin Hill Country. Various Texas creatures, such as the armadillo, jack rabbit and bucking bronco will be featured in the design. Wade will also be designing an actual garden-scape in the bed of the vehicle complete with live plants and soil.

Wade is well-known for his large-scale fanciful sculptures, such as the twenty-foot-tall iguana formerly mounted atop the Lone Star Cafe in New York City. Wade was born and raised in Austin and his work was included in the exhibit "Oil Patch Dreams: Images of the Petroleum Industry in American Art" (Austin Museum Of Art, March '98). He has also written three books.

The first of GM's "Trucks for Texas," designed by Dallas artist Steve Cruz, was unveiled on October 28, 2004. Additional artists creating truck designs will hail from Houston, McAllen and San Antonio.

At the conclusion of the campaign, GM will donate the Chevrolet Silverado Extended Cab Pick-Up for use by the Nature Conservancy. Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy preserves the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the land and waters they need to survive. The methods of protection they use include the purchase and donation of land, wetland mitigation and Conservation Buyer Programs.

GM in Texas In the past 50 years, GM has produced more than seven million cars and trucks in Texas, generating thousands of jobs for hardworking men and women across the state. GM’s "Trucks for Texas" campaign continues its efforts to serve Texans across the state.

The company currently employs more than 5,500 employees at 27 plants and offices in the state of Texas, generating more than $500 million in wages. The 482 GM dealers employ approximately 25,000 people, generating an additional $1.1 billion in payroll. Texas-based suppliers serve 73 GM manufacturing facilities across the country. GM pays in excess of $15 million annually in property taxes.

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