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Saleen Unveils 1998 Supercar Lineup at Budget Headquarters

26 November 1997

Saleen Unveils 1998 Supercar Lineup at Budget Headquarters

    LISLE, Ill., Nov. 25 -- What do you get when you cross an
ordinary Mustang rental car with race-inspired, aerodynamic styling, custom
paint and road-hugging suspension created by high-performance designer Steve
Saleen?  A rental experience you'll not soon forget.
    Car enthusiasts seeking such memories have traveled across the country to
west coast Budget Rent a Car locations to rent the Saleen S281 Mustang, one of
the most sought-after collector cars of the '90s.  With over 100 of the Saleen
S281 Mustangs already in its rental fleet in California and Arizona, Budget
expects to increase its count to nearly 300 by spring.
    At the Chicago suburb-based Budget Rent a Car Corporate Headquarters in
Lisle, Steve Saleen, owner and founder of Saleen Performance Cars, staged a
dramatic unveiling of his 1998 Saleen supercar lineup.  In addition to
featuring "before" and "after" examples of the Saleen S281 Mustang, Saleen
showcased his company's new Explorer Performance Utility Vehicle (PUV). The
new supercharged Explorer, which is 2 inches lower than the standard model,
has classic Saleen styling, custom graphics and 18 x 8-1/2 inch Saleen
magnesium wheels with Pirelli Scorpion radials.  Styled for performance and
safety, the Saleen Explorer PUV will be available this December at Saleen
Certified Ford dealerships nationwide.
    What's next for the world's third largest car rental company and this
government-certified, specialty car manufacturer?  Perhaps a modified Ford
Ranger XLT extended cab, which Saleen revealed to Budget's top management
during this high-powered strategy session.
    Budget introduced 5,000 of its own VIP Pickups with weather-tight, locking
security trunks at rental locations across the nation in September, as part of
its new brand campaign.  With 25 percent of Budget's fleet in luxury and
specialty vehicles including Lincolns, Jaguars, Saabs and more, the company
continues to explore opportunities to create memorable driving experiences for
its renters with safe, elegant and fun-to-drive vehicles.
    Saleen Performance is certified as a specialty vehicle manufacturer by the
federal government.  Since the company began building vehicles in 1984, Saleen
has produced nearly 5,000 high-performance cars, more than any other specialty
manufacturer.  The company's product line includes Saleen Mustangs and
Explorers as well as Saleen Performance Parts, a line of high performance and
appearance products for Mustangs and now Explorers and trucks.
    Budget Rent a Car Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Budget Group,
Inc. , is one of the world's top three car and truck rental systems.
The Budget system, which operates under the same name worldwide, has more than
3,200 airport and local market locations in over 120 countries and
territories.  Budget has nearly 1,000 corporate-owned and franchised locations
in the United States.  Budget's WorldClass Fleet is comprised of more than 25%
specialty vehicles, ranging from sport utility vehicles, convertibles and
luxury cars to minivans, pickups and motorcycles.

SOURCE  Budget Rent a Car Corporation