Customized Youth-Oriented Jones Soda Chevrolet HHR Showcased at the North American International Auto Show to be Raffled to Support FIRST

BIRMINGHAM, Mich., Jan. 11, 2006 -- An elite group of companies from Michigan, Washington, California and Oklahoma has come together to create a specially personalized 2006 Chevrolet HHR aimed at the youth market and maximizing the versatility of the vehicle. Called the Jones Soda Chevy HHR Original, the vehicle will be shown at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) during a business seminar hosted by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and be raffled off over the next few months.

Proceeds -- entries will cost just $20 -- will benefit the Michigan activities of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a multinational non-profit organization that aims to motivate young people to pursue career opportunities in science, technology and engineering by making science and math as cool for kids as sports are today. It is supported by businesses, educational institutions and government.

"The Jones Soda Chevrolet HHR Original is a wonderful, innovative project that will give FIRST additional funding to help invigorate children, instill a passion for learning science and technology and develop an understanding that mastering these can enrich their lives," said Dean Kamen, founder of FIRST. "We are grateful to these companies for their caring attitude and commitment to help children realize their dreams of becoming science and engineering heroes."

Core to the Jones Soda Chevy HHR Original's head-turning road presence is the "tangerine with root-beer flames" custom paint treatment inspired by Jones Soda's renowned soft drinks. Adorning the roof rack is a customized Ride(TM) Kashmir snowboard with SPi 6061-T6 aluminum bindings finished in a matching color and graphics.

The vehicle's personalization continues with its dark slate Katzkin(TM) leather interior with perforated tangerine seat inserts, custom badging and matching carbon-fiber trim in the center console, doors and instrument panel. Completing the interior is a thunderous Kicker(TM) High-performance audio system featuring dual-Comp VR 10-inch subwoofers, KX series amp and dash- mounted Kenwood DVD player.

"This unique vehicle is directly aimed at Generation Y: the youth of today and the car-buyers of tomorrow," said Jeff Cauley of the Detroit Area Chevrolet Dealers Association. "Generation Y is growing up expecting to be able to personalize anything they buy. The Jones Soda Chevy HHR Original is a perfect example of what can be done to create an action-sports lifestyle- focused, individualized vehicle with relatively modest means."

Plexus Systems of Auburn Hills, Mich., donated the base vehicle and joined alternative soda pop star Jones Soda Company of Seattle, General Motors and the Detroit Area Chevrolet Dealers as well as several restylers and customization installers to create the Jones Soda Chevy HHR Original.

The lifestyle personalization trend demonstrated by the project will demand manufacturers create with dealers low-volume vehicles built to individuals' specifications and preferences. That process requires manufacturers to further streamline their operations and rethink how they market and sell their products.

"Low-volume production may be the next big thing for the auto industry," Rob Beatty, CEO of Plexus Systems said. "Those who succeed will be able to sell the vehicles online, build it to individual tastes and get it quickly into the buyer's hands. The Plexus Online manufacturing information system has helped to make that happen."

The Jones Soda Chevy HHR Original will be formally unveiled at the NAIAS during the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's Technology Symposium on January 11 hosted by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm. It also will be shown at Jones Soda events promoting Extreme Sports with several of Jones- sponsored athletes from Michigan and be featured on limited edition Jones Soda bottle labels.

Suppliers that participated in the creation of the Jones Soda Chevy HHR Original included: TATA Consultancy Services, Troy, Mich. (project coordination); Graphlite, West Bloomfield, Mich. (vehicle design and snowboard customization); General Motors Milford Proving Ground (paint); Detroit Area Chevy Dealers (project coordination and audio system installation); Vette Essentials, Rochester Hills, MI (custom steering wheel); Image Quest Graphics, Wixom, Mich. (graphics production); Katzkin, Montebello, Calif. (leather interior); Ideal Auto Restyling, Troy, Mich. (interior installation); Tenibac- Graphion, Clinton Township, Mich. (interior trim); Craft Originators, Canton, Mich. (badging); Kicker, Stillwater, Okla. (audio system); and Ride Snowboards, Vashon, Wash. (snowboards).

One hundred high-school teams from Michigan are expected to compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition this year, more than nearly all other states in the country -- a reflection of Michigan's commitment to technology and science education and Michigan's position as a technology leader of the United States. The 2006 FIRST Robotics Regional Competitions in SE Michigan take place on March 10-12 (Great Lakes Regional at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti) and March 17-19 (Detroit Regional at Wayne State University in Detroit). The FIRST LEGO(R) League, for middle-school children, has just completed its highly successful 2005 season.

Details of the raffle (including how to buy tickets) will be released soon.