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Automotive News and Delphi Announce Finalists For Awards

19 September 2000

Automotive News International and Delphi Automotive Systems Announce Finalists For the Second Annual 'Concept Car of the Year' Awards

      Automotive News International and Delphi Will Recognize the Newest
       And Greatest Innovations in the Automotive Industry With Awards
                        For the Best Concept Vehicles

    PARIS, Sept. 19 Global automotive executives will gather
on 28 September 2000 at 7:30 p.m. for the Automotive News International
Concept Car of the Year Awards at the Union Centrale des Arts Decoratifs,
Palais du Louvre in Paris.  The event, co-sponsored by Automotive News
International and Delphi Automotive Systems , kicks off Designer's
Night at the Paris Motor Show 2000.
    Automotive News International publisher, Keith Crain, created the event
two years ago to recognize the exceptional innovations in the automotive
industry.  "The Paris Motor Show is a prime opportunity to showcase the best
concept vehicles around the world in front of a truly global audience," said
Crain.  "This event not only recognizes the winners for their exceptional
styling and design, but also serves as a preview for automakers and consumers
to see the vehicles of the future."
    The event will showcase leading concept styles and vehicles in five
categories:  Environmental Concept, Interior Concept, Exterior Concept,
Concept Car of the Year and the Best of the Paris Motor Show.
    "Styling is the most expressive form of innovation and sets important
parameters for the rest of the industry," said J.T. Battenberg III, chairman,
CEO and president of Delphi Automotive Systems. "This year's finalists
exemplify innovation throughout the entire vehicle design and are an excellent
representation of the diverse needs of today's customers."
    Finalists for the Environmental Concept car include Fiat Ecobasic, Ford
Think!, GM Precept and Honda FCX.
    Finalists for the Interior Concept car include Cadillac Imaj, Fiat
Ecobasic, Ford Equator, Honda Neukom, Pininfarina Rossa, Renault Koleos,
Saturn CV1 and Toyota HMV4.
    Finalists for the Exterior Concept car include Isuzu Kai, Jaguar F-type,
Jeep Varsity, Mazda RX-Evolv, Oldsmobile Profile, Pininfarina Rossa, Renault
Koleos and SEAT Salsa.
    Finalists for the Concept Car of the Year include Mazda RX-Evolv,
Pininfarina Rossa and SEAT Salsa.
    Judges will select the five best concept vehicles based on the cars'
innovation, production feasibility, production cost and consumer value.  Last
year, six concept cars won the first Automotive News International Concept Car
of Year Awards held in Tokyo.  New to the event this year is the Consumers'
Choice Award, sponsored by USA Today.  The winner was selected by an on-line
survey at usatoday.com that allowed consumers to logon and place a vote for
their favorite concept car.  More than 10,000 votes were cast.
    Additional sponsors of the event include:  Deloitte & Touche, Deloitte
Consulting, the City of Sunderland in northern England and USA Today.  Second
and third place honors will be given in the Environmental Concept, Interior
Concept, Exterior Concept and Concept Car of the Year categories.