GE Opens First Automotive Center of Excellence for Unique Full-Service Solutions to the Automotive Industry

SOUTHFIELD, Mich.--May 1, 20056, 2005--GE today announced the opening of its GE Automotive Center of Excellence, dedicated to providing value-added services, technologies, and solutions to the automotive industry of the future. Located at Two Towne Square in Southfield, Michigan, the state-of-the-art facility will spotlight GE's ability to serve a demanding and evolving industry with GE values in this modern setting. The new Center of Excellence was designed around GE's portfolio of automotive-related businesses, including GE Advanced Materials, GE Infrastructure, GE Energy, GE Commercial Finance, and GE Fleet. By housing all its businesses with an automotive focus in the same area, GE has created a cultural revolution in an environment that allows information to flow seamlessly across the different organizations.

"The automotive industry is a key target growth area for GE and where some of our most valued customers do business," said Gregory A. Adams, vice president, GE Advanced Materials, Automotive. "Our global experience and expertise in marketing, sales, and technology provide the tools to help our customers, and GE, drive the auto industry forward. Now, with our new Center of Excellence, GE staff worldwide can share ideas and work together more effectively to provide new global solutions for automotive customers in Detroit."

This contemporary facility integrates an Automotive Center of Excellence exhibition area highlighting innovations across all the businesses. It also features an application technology area where GE engineers and marketing experts can collaborate on the development of applications of the future for the auto industry. In addition, the location hosts a new state-of-the-art conference center, built to reflect the legacy and values of GE.

GE Advanced Materials is a world leader in providing high-technology material solutions in Plastics, Silicones, Quartz, Specialty Film & Sheet, Polymershapes, and Sealants and Adhesives for the automotive industry. GE Infrastructure is at the forefront in offering in-depth expertise in integrated, open solutions and support services across a wide spectrum of industries, including the automotive industry. GE Sensing is an industry leader in the design and manufacture of sensing elements, devices, instruments, and systems that enable customers to help monitor, protect, control, and ensure the safety of their critical applications. GE Commercial Finance is one of General Electric's largest "growth engines". With lending products, growth capital, revolving lines of credit, equipment leasing of every kind, cash flow programs, asset financing, and more, GE Commercial Finance plays a key role for client businesses in over 35 countries. GE Commercial Finance Fleet Services helps customers obtain the greatest value from the life of their fleet through an array of management service and information products.

"GE's extensive legacy in the automotive arena, coupled with our commitment to providing the most sophisticated technological and development capabilities, offers a winning combination of experience and creativity," said Adams. "Our new Automotive Center of Excellence will enable us to provide a wider array of value-added services aligned to meet the needs of an industry that is more efficient, cost-conscious, environmentally supportive and consumer-focused than ever before."

Other features of the new Automotive Center include broadcast satellite and wireless network connectivity to provide communications and instant access across GE's worldwide facilities and staff. The nine story world-class building is also connected to the existing 425,000 foot, eighteen story One Towne Square building and its full service retail concourse in order to provide a full service facility.