2005 NADA: Association of International Automobile Manufacturers Announce Election of Officers

NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 31, 2005 -- The Board of Directors of the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) today announced the election of Jim Morton, Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance for Nissan North America, Inc. as the Association's new Chairman. Previously, Morton served as AIAM's Vice-Chair and member of the Association's Executive Committee. AIAM's Board meets annually in connection with the National Automobile Dealers Association annual convention.

As Senior Vice President at Nissan, Morton oversees all finance, legal, governmental affairs, human resources, business strategy, corporate communications, information systems, security, corporate aviation and audit for Nissan's North American operations. He also serves as President of the Nissan Foundation and is a member of the North American and U.S. Management Committees.

AIAM's Board of Directors also elected other officers for its upcoming fiscal year, including James Press as Vice Chairman, Peter Butterfield as Treasurer, Thomas Elliott as Secretary and Robert Cosmai as Assistant Secretary/Treasurer. James Press is Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. Peter Butterfield is President and Chief Executive Officer for Kia Motors America., Inc. Thomas Elliott is Executive Vice President for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Robert Cosmai is President and Chief Executive Officer for Hyundai Motor America.

AIAM is a trade association representing 14 international motor vehicle manufacturers who account for 40 percent of all passenger cars and 20 percent of all light trucks sold annually in the United States. AIAM members have invested over $26 billion in U.S.-based production facilities, have a combined domestic production capacity of 2.8 million vehicles, directly employ 75,000 Americans, and generate an additional 500,000 U.S. jobs in dealerships and supplier industries nationwide. AIAM members include Aston Martin, Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Kia, Maserati, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota. AIAM also represents original equipment suppliers and other automotive-related trade associations.