---

Magna-Symatec Wins Best of Show Award at SEMA Competition

24 November 1999

Magna-Symatec Wins Best of Show Award at Ford Truck Design Competition at SEMA MAGNA-SYMATEC'S EXPEDITION SEASCAPE(TM) Magna-Symatec's "Expedition SeaScape(TM)," a 2000 Ford Expedition modified with a nautical theme, won the "Best of Show" award at the Ford Truck Design competition held during the SEMA 1999 Show in Las Vegas. (PRNewsFoto)[DM] TROY, MI USA 11/24/1999    

    TROY, Mich., Nov. 24 -- Magna-Symatec won the "Best of Show"
award at the Ford Truck Design competition held during the SEMA 1999 Show in
Las Vegas.  Magna-Symatec won from a field of 257 Ford vehicle show entries
for its "Expedition SeaScape(TM)," a 2000 Ford Expedition modified with a
nautical theme and features to appeal to boating enthusiasts.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991124/DEW004 )
    Magna-Symatec attended the SEMA Show as part of its ongoing market
research efforts to identify and validate lifestyle vehicles and market trends
affecting new vehicle production strategies.
    "Our attendance at SEMA is to present lifestyle vehicle concepts to
industry insiders for evaluation and comments," said Craig Winn, president,
Magna-Symatec.  "This gives our design and engineering teams advance insights
in order to help our OEM partners quickly respond to market shifts and
consumer preferences."
    "Winning Best of Show testifies to that strategy -- the idea for SeaScape
originated at last year's show," he added.  "Designed for the consumer who
enjoys boating, the Expedition SeaScape is just one example of how customers'
lifestyles can be enhanced through low-volume niche vehicles."
    Magna-Symatec displayed the SeaScape vehicle along with a 25-foot DORAL
250 companion boat complete with a complementary color and trim package.
In addition, Magna also presented several other concept lifestyle vehicles
including GMC Victory Express for motorcycle enthusiasts and a Ford Polaris
F-150 for fans of snowmobiling.
    As part of its SEMA show strategy, Magna-Symatec conducted third-party
independent market research to determine what industry insiders thought of the
SeaScape and other lifestyle-based production vehicle concepts.

    SeaScape's numerous exterior features include:
    *  Auto-retractable hatch with flip-up window
    *  Sundeck/Tonneau cover with waterproof cushioned surface
    *  Teakwood step accents
    *  Power sliding canvas roof
    *  Reverse radar bar with dual rearview cameras for launch assist
    *  Rear fascia step bumper and hitch system
    *  Nautical stainless steel rear grab rails
    *  Rear pull-out storage compartment
    *  Unique front fascia with oversized driving lamps
    *  Integrated running boards, body cladding and wheel flares
    *  L.E.D. tail lamps
    *  Matching custom wheels on SeaScape and Doral 250 trailer

    The SeaScape's interior features include:
    *  Tri-toned nautical theme
    *  Quad captain chairs with front and rear console storage
    *  Heated and cooled Beverage-Mate(TM)
    *  Wood accents including steering wheel and door handles
    *  GPS navigation system from MagnaWorks
    *  Custom gauge and cluster graphics

    Magna International Inc. is a leading global supplier of technologically
advanced automotive interior and exterior systems, components and complete
modules.  The company employs approximately 54,000 people at 164 manufacturing
divisions and 30 product development and engineering centers in 19 countries.
Magna-Symatec (Systems and Technology across Magna) is a new operating group
that uniquely positions Magna closer to OEMs as a TIER O.5(TM) partner.
Symatec manages the concept, design, engineering, testing, validation and
delivery of complete integrated modular solutions including lifestyle niche
vehicles.  For more information on Symatec, call 1-888-SYMATEC.