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Trim Systems Designer Receives Concept Hot Rod Design Award

16 December 1997

Trim Systems Designer Receives Concept Hot Rod Design Award

    MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 16 -- Trim Systems, LLC is pleased to
announce that Christopher Ito, one of the company's industrial designers, has
been awarded first place in a design competition held by Hot Rod magazine and
Hot Rods by Boyd for his innovative concept of a new, advanced sports car.
Ito's design, chosen from more than 400 entries, incorporates the classic
styling of the early-model Plymouth Barracuda and the futuristic looks of the
Dodge Viper.  The concept car, called "Phantom Cuda Roadster," will undergo
construction and be displayed at the 1998 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers
Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas next November.
    Commenting on the achievement, John C. Read, president of Trim Systems,
said, "We are very proud of Chris, and pleased to have his talents available
to our heavy truck customers for the design and styling of their next-
generation vehicles, as well as 'face-lifts' for today's models."
    Ito is an 11-year employee of Trim Systems and American Sunroof Company
(ASC).  Currently based in Portland, Ore., he is supporting Trim Systems
design and styling requirements and establishing the company's Technical
Center in Vancouver, Wash., for all heavy equipment manufacturers.
    Trim Systems, formerly the Aeromotive Systems Division of ASC, is one of
the leading suppliers of heavy truck interior systems and is a joint venture
in which both Minneapolis-based Heavy Duty Holdings (HDH), an affiliate of
Hidden Creek Industries, and ASC Incorporated (ASC), of Southgate, Mich., are
equal partners.  Its customers include Freightliner, Volvo and PACCAR.  Trim
Systems' operating headquarters is in Columbus, Ohio, and its manufacturing
facilities are located in Ohio, Washington, North Carolina and Virginia.

SOURCE  Trim Systems, LLC