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SSPC Obtains Order for 15 Pickup Truck 'Gliders' for Mining Industry

25 February 1999

SSPC Obtains Order for 15 Pickup Truck 'Gliders' for Mining Industry

    SHREVEPORT, La., Feb. 25 -- Southern States Power Co.
(OTC Bulletin Board: SSPC) secured a purchase order for 15 composite body &
frame pickup truck "gliders" from Genco Mine Service that will be used to
produce specialty underground mining transportation vehicles.  Genco Mine
Service will be an exclusive distributor in a five state area of SSPC
"gliders" ("gliders" are vehicles without engines).  Genco Mine Service will
add a specially certified diesel engine to the "gliders" and deliver the
vehicles to a well established base of mining industry customers.
    The order represents sales of over $125,000.  All "gliders" will be
produced at the SSPC joint venture production plant in Otay Mesa, Mexico.
Delivery of all vehicles will occur within the next 120 days.  Pictures of the
production facility and other vehicles being manufactured at the Otay Mesa
plant can be viewed at SSPC's web site at http://www.sspowerco.com.
    SSPC has already surveyed the mines with a prototype composite body-on-
frame vehicle and received very positive responses.  The industry must now use
modified steel chassis that have limited body life because of difficult
operating conditions.  SSPC pickup trucks are ideally suited for mining
applications because composite materials used in body construction can hold up
even under the most extreme conditions.  The finish is "dent-proof" and
requires no body maintenance and panel repairs unlike metal body trucks.
Special designs are being incorporated in the vehicle to account for rugged
operating conditions in the mine.  Features include a special safety roof,
gearing specifically for mining requirements, safety doors and other special
features.
    The mining industry represents a large market niche for specialty vehicles
if both vehicles and engines can meet strict new regulatory requirements.
Regulations developed by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
require vehicles to meet height, ground clearance and other requirements.  The
engines must meet strict emission requirements and must be certified for use
in underground mines.  The regulations will go into full effect starting in
November, 1999.  This will require replacement of mining vehicles in a very
short time period that do not meet chassis or emission requirements.  There
are over 15,000 underground mining vehicles of this type that have to be
replaced by the end of November in the U.S. and an even larger international
market.  This is an ideal market opportunity for SSPC's technology and
production capacity.
    This press release contains forward-looking statements that should not be
used to make an investment decision.  Please refer to our web site
(http://www.sspowerco.com) & other sources for more detailed Company information or
call Michael Sealey (318) 221-5703.