GM Prepares For Higher Solstice and Sky Output At Delaware Plant

Company Moves to Speed Pontiac Solstice Production, Prepare for Saturn Sky

PONTIAC, Mich. - General Motors today announced plans to add a third shift of production at its Wilmington, Del., car assembly plant after the first of the year. The plant, which currently produces the Pontiac Solstice roadster, will begin building the Saturn Sky and a new Opel roadster in 2006.

"By adding the third shift in January, we will increase the flow of Solstices to help fill the thousands of orders we have already received," said John Larson, general manager of Buick-Pontiac-GMC.

Since first shown as a concept at the 2002 North American International Auto Show, the Pontiac Solstice has been a hit with both critics and customers. When orders were first taken in April, the first thousand vehicles were sold in only 41 minutes and, to date, more than 15,000 orders have been received. The introduction of the new Saturn Sky during the first half of 2006 is expected to build upon the initial success of the Solstice.

General Motors Corp. , the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader since 1931. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 325,000 people around the world. It has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 200 countries. In 2004, GM sold nearly 9 million cars and trucks globally, up 4 percent and the second-highest total in the company's history. GM's global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.