SportRack Automotive Honored With DCX Design Excellence Award

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., Nov. 23, 2005 -- In conjunction with this year's SEMA Show in Las Vegas, SportRack Automotive (SRA) was an honored recipient of one of eight DaimlerChrysler (DCX) Design Excellence Awards for its innovative product display utilizing a Dodge Ram pickup truck. DCX management representatives from the disciplines of engineering, marketing, product planning, product strategy, design, and Mopar judged candidates for the award.

DaimlerChrysler is in its 11th year of recognizing innovation in design and functionality. Dennis Myles, Senior Manager -- Product Design at DaimlerChrysler, presented the award to SportRack's Director of Advanced Product Design, John Klinkman. His comments during the ceremony included: "SportRack is an innovative company with whom we have worked for many years. They have always provided value-added product for our vehicles."

Klinkman stated, "Accepting this award is an exciting accomplishment for our company. The diligent efforts and creative energy put forth by our Advanced Development Team and prototype technicians have brought SportRack well-deserved recognition from a key customer, DaimlerChrysler. We are expecting that the interest generated by our vehicle will lead to future innovations and additional business opportunities."

SportRack Automotive is known as an industry leader in the design and development of unique roof rack systems and related accessory products for the OEM market. A number of conceptualized products were showcased on the Dodge Ram including a SportRack-designed roof rack integrating front and rear LED lighting options, along with a bed rail system incorporating a unique light bar feature.

The Design Excellence Award recognizes innovative thinking, design excellence and/or superior process management. The award process seeks out products that are developed as an extension of a lifestyle image and that possess a functionality beyond the vehicle's image enhancement.

Headquartered in Sterling Heights, Michigan, SportRack Automotive is a global leader in the supply of roof rack systems and related exterior accessory products to the OEM. SRA has North American manufacturing operations in Port Huron, Shelby Township, and Sterling Heights, MI and in Greenwood, MS. SportRack's European operations are headquartered in Sandhausen, Germany, and also include manufacturing facilities in Bakov, Czech Republic and Barcelona, Spain.