NBC UNIVERSAL AND VOLKSWAGEN SIGN WORLDWIDE STRATEGIC MARKETING AGREEMENT

Alliance Represents One of the Widest and Far Reaching to Date in Branded Entertainment Arena

LOS ANGELES and WOLFSBURG, Germany, Jan. 13 -- NBC Universal, a leading media and entertainment company, and Volkswagen, one of the world's leading car companies, announced the creation of a multi-year global marketing alliance today. As part of the partnership, Universal will incorporate Volkswagen's products and brand, in its film, DVD, worldwide theme parks, and other entertainment properties. Additionally, Volkswagen will support numerous media and entertainment related properties of NBC Universal through international marketing and promotional efforts. Both companies plan to develop mutual marketing programs.

"This will represent one of the largest and most comprehensive alliances in the entertainment industry and prepares the ground for new ways of reaching consumers on a global scale," said Dr. Bernd Pischetsrieder, CEO of Volkswagen. "Product Placement and the movie industry are a growing factor in car promotion and Universal Studios is the most consistently successful movie studio in recent history. With their theme parks and their huge television section with NBC and other attractive TV stations, NBC Universal offers a highly attractive platform to promote our products and brand, which no other studio can offer."

"We are very proud to be in business with a creative and dynamic company such as Volkswagen," said Ron Meyer, President and Chief Operating Officer, Universal Studios. "Our historic alliance underscores how important corporate partnerships have become in attracting consumers around the world, and I believe that together we are in a unique position to capitalize on many new opportunities in the marketplace."

"We are pleased to welcome Volkswagen as a marquee, NBC Universal partner. The Volkswagen product line is stylized, design-driven and contemporary, and the perfect demographic match for our entertainment properties," said Stephanie Sperber, Executive Vice President, Universal Studios Partnerships. "Together we can realize true integration that will complement and build both of our businesses domestically and around the world."

For VW this cooperation offers a wide range of opportunities including product placement, VW's presence at Universal's film premieres and home entertainment releases, common global media-based promotional campaigns, and theme park sponsorship and integration. The deal also calls for VW to explore original TV programming and on-air film-related promotions.

The initial focus of activities will be on the U.S. and European markets where Universal will have access to a wide range of Volkswagen products for all prices and age groups, with approximately 20 different models under the Volkswagen brand.

About NBC Universal

NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates the No. 1 television network, the fastest-growing Spanish-language network, a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.

About Volkswagen brand

The Volkswagen-Pkw brand reported sales of 31.635 billion Euro (2002: 34.813 billion) in 2003. In 2004, Volkswagen-Pkw delivered 3.064 million vehicles to customers in over 150 countries around the world (2003: 3.075). The Volkswagen-Pkw brand has a global workforce of over 133,000. Volkswagen vehicles offer customers leading-edge technology, discerning design and the highest quality in almost every segment of the automobile market. The range includes models such as the Golf, the Passat, the Lupo and Polo compact cars and the Phaeton and Touareg luxury vehicles.