California International Auto Show Debuts New Vehicles at First Show of 2006 North American Season

Announcements From General Motors, Dodge, Ford Motor Company and Volvo Highlight Full Day of Worldwide, North American and West Coast Launches

ANAHEIM, Calif., Oct. 5 -- Southern California's premiere auto show, the California International Auto Show (CIAS), debuted an exciting lineup of new vehicle launches, including worldwide, North American and west coast launches from General Motors, Dodge, Ford Motor Company and Volvo. The CIAS also hosted press conferences by Kelley Blue Book and the Air Quality Management District. The show press conferences are available in broadcast quality high-definition MPEG files on the show's website: www.caautoshow.com. Print-quality static photography is also available at the same address.

"We had a terrific series of announcements from manufacturers who feel that our show offers the perfect opportunity to get their new vehicles in front of the press and North America's largest automotive consumer market," said John Sackrison, co-director, CIAS. "With this type of support from the manufacturers, and the media showing stronger than ever interest in the show, our 2006 press day was the most exciting that it has been in years."

The show also featured the all-new Auto Show Underground that highlighted for media the hot automotive customizing market, celebrity and exotic cars, hybrids, classics, and the latest automotive accessories. The wide array of displays includes the best modified vehicles from attending manufacturers, such as Honda, Mitsubishi and Scion; more than 100 tuners from local car clubs; and dozens of exotic cars from Ferrari and Lamborghini. In addition, the Auto Show Underground will feature the latest in aftermarket accessories including rims, spinners, tuner exhaust systems, meters, turbos and other tuner applications. Lastly, the area features pumping music from local bands and trendy disc jockeys.

With greater interest from automotive manufacturers to participate, the CIAS is increasing its 2006 show program to include more of the elements manufacturers, dealers, automotive media and consumers want to see at an international auto show. This increased interest has also forced the CIAS to expand its overall space at the Anaheim Convention Center.

"The CIAS offers one of the most exciting auto shows in the country, and it brings to Orange County the very best the auto industry has to offer," said Todd Leutheuser, co-director of CIAS. "With the strength of the Southern California automotive market and timing of the CIAS as the first show of the 2006 auto show season, manufacturers have increased their involvement by continuing to showcase concept cars and new vehicle introductions at this show."

  Media Day Highlights

   * General Motors -- General Motors once again selected the CIAS to
     kick-off the shows media day with the worldwide debuts of the GMC Yukon
     and GMC Denali.  Both of the newly-styled sport utility vehicles take
     GM's product line-up to another level.

   * Dodge -- Dodge shared two concept vehicles that have inspired the
     future of Dodge design -- the Dodge Caliber and Dodge Nitro.  Also on
     the agenda is a peak at how the Dodge brand plans to continue its
     growth beyond the current truck market, with the unveiling of the new
     Dodge RAM3500.

   * Ford -- Ford provided new insights into its 2006 product line-up, the
     strongest in its 103-year history -- from the heart-pounding GT in new
     "Heritage" livery to the new PZEV-rated Fusion and lower emissions,
     higher-mileage, more horsepower Explorer.

   * Volvo -- Coming off a highly successful launch at the Frankfurt Motor
     Show, Volvo selected to bring its all-new C70 convertible to the CIAS
     for its North American debut.  Complete with a fully retractable
     hardtop, the Pininfarina-assembled Volvo goes on sale in the U.S. in
     2006.

   * Kelley Blue Book -- Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com hosted its first-ever
     press conference announcing the company's annual Best Resale Value
     Awards, where KBB executives handed-out awards for the 2006 model year
     vehicles with the Best Resale Value in each category and Best Brand
     Resale Value.

   * Air Quality Management District (AQMD) -- AQMD made a couple of
     exciting announcements during its "State of the Fuel Cell" press
     conference.  The featured line-up of speakers included Santa Ana Mayor
     Miguel Pulido; Al Weverstad, general manager and chairman, California
     Fuel Cell Partnership; and Matt Petersen, executive director, Global
     Green.

  About the CIAS

The California International Auto Show (CIAS) is the first North American auto show for the 2006 model year. The show is presented by the Orange County Automobile Dealers Association and the Southland Motor Car Dealers Association. Each year, the CIAS showcases a host of North American and worldwide introductions of production vehicles, hybrids, aftermarket vehicles and concept cars. The show's "Auto Show Underground" offers one of the nation's largest exotic car displays, classics, celebrity vehicles and hot accessories. For more information on the show visit the official auto show website at www.caautoshow.com.