Top Auto Designer Files Lawsuit Against Chery Automobile Co. of China and The United States and Visionary Vehicles of Saline

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Dec. 6, 2006 -- Sommers Schwartz, P.C., announces plaintiff news conference planned for Thursday, December 7, 2006, at 1:00 p.m.

  News Briefing Details
  WHAT: News conference to announce the filing of a nine count complaint
  against Chery Automobile Co. and Visionary Vehicles.  Plaintiff's claims
  include Breach of Express Contract, Breach of Implied Contract, and
  Conspiracy.  This suit arises out of Chery terminating Grant as its chief
  U.S. auto designer and failing to establish its planned U.S. auto design
  studio in suburban Detroit, Michigan.

  WHO: * Plaintiff, Kenneth G. Grant, Jr., of Northville, Michigan. Grant
  was the lead designer at Ford on the Mustang and Thunderbird vehicles in
  the 1990's and was responsible for numerous U.S. and foreign auto design
  projects after leaving Ford. Grant was solicited to become chief U.S.
  designer for Chery's and Visionary Vehicles' U.S. joint venture. In the
  summer of 2006, Grant severed all other professional and business
  relationships to take the job as Chery's U.S. design chief. Chery
  manufactures autos in China and together with its partner, Visionary
  Vehicles, previously announced plans to begin importing vehicles to the
  U.S. in 2007. Grant's employment was to be for five years, with Grant
  acting as head of Chery's U.S. design studio. Chery established a Michigan
  limited liability company in July 2006 to operate its U.S. design studio
  and rented office space in suburban Detroit, Michigan to house the design
  studio.  Grant was a 15 percent owner of the design studio company.  Grant
  prepared numerous auto design concepts for Chery, which it and Visionary
  Vehicles showcased in the media and in public presentations.   In August
  of 2006, Chery approved one of Grant's automobile design projects. On
  September 6, 2006 Visionary Vehicles announced to Grant that Chery was
  canceling its plan for their U.S. design studio and terminating him as its
  chief designer; instead Chery was entering into a business arrangement
  with DaimlerChrysler to develop a new small car.
  * Daniel D. Swanson, Attorney for Plaintiff, Sommers Schwartz, P.C.

  WHERE: Law Offices of Sommers Schwartz P.C., 2000 Town Center, Suite 900
  - 9th floor board room.

Sommers Schwartz, ranks among Michigan's largest law firms and is the largest plaintiff law firm in the state. Sixteen of the firm's nearly 80 lawyers have been distinguished as "Best Lawyers in America." To reach Sommers Schwartz, P.C., in Southfield, Michigan, phone 248-355-0300.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Plaintiff will bring vehicle renderings of U.S. concept designs for review at the December 7 news conference.