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For a Space Tour, Visit Sportrack Automotive's Booth #3723 at SEMA 2000

31 October 2000

For a Space Tour, Visit Sportrack Automotive's Booth #3723 at SEMA 2000

    LAS VEGAS, Oct. 31 Space is the final frontier when it
comes to automotive markets.  At this year's SEMA show, SportRack Automotive,
a leading supplier of innovative automotive exterior accessories, displays
concepts and existing solutions for adding plenty of extra space without
increasing vehicle size.
    "Americans expect more cargo capacity from their cars, trucks and SUVs.
They are buying larger vehicles, and they're purchasing roof boxes, bike
carriers, kayak carriers and towing systems to maximize their space.  Our SEMA
display gives an opportunity to highlight current and future lifestyle
accessories for the vehicles we drive," SportRack President and CEO Richard
Borghi said.
    The SportRack display, which is located at Booth No.3723, features several
innovative products for increasing cargo space.  This year's display vehicles
are:
    * A Dodge Dakota Quad Cab outfitted with accessories from SportRack and
      sister company, Valley Automotive, will display several concept
      products: a tubular roof-rack system, a collapsible hitch-mounted basket
      and a tonneau cover with an interior-mounted fishing gear carrier.  A
      rack attached to the bed cover transports bikes, and a bed extender
      slides out for easy cargo removal.
    * A Chrysler PT Cruiser features a concept tubular basket carrier that
      attaches to the roof of the vehicle for extra cargo space and an
      interior bicycle carrier.
    * A Ford Focus is accessorized with a removable roof rack and a hitch-
      mounted bicycle carrier.
    * A Toyota RAV4 is complete with a variety of SportRack accessories and a
      towing system provided by Valley Automotive.

    In addition to the SportRack booth, several other companies, including
DaimlerChrysler, General Motors, Ford, ASC and A.R.E. will display SportRack
products.  A Ford Explorer SportTrac, a GMC Sonoma 4-door and a GMC Sierra
with SportRack accessories are feature show vehicles that will be displayed on
the concourse outside the show.
    These innovative lifestyle accessories use state-of-the-art techniques to
provide consumers with maximum value.  The hydroformed, tubular design of the
new roof racks greatly reduces wind noise.
    Consumers also benefit from having more places to transport cargo without
purchasing a newer, bigger vehicle.
    Borghi and General Manager of the OEM Accessory Group, Robert Boulard,
will be at the SEMA show and will be available to discuss trends in the
automotive accessory industry and the displays.
    SportRack Automotive (SRA) is a world leader in the supply of roof rack
systems and lifestyle accessory products to the global OEM and aftermarket.
SRA has corporate offices in Sterling Heights, Mich., with North American
manufacturing operations in Port Huron and Shelby Township, Mich.; Shelburne,
Vt.; Hamer Bay, Ont., and Granby, Que.  SRA's European operations are
headquartered in Sandhausen, Germany, and include manufacturing facilities in
Bakov, Czech Republic and Barcelona, Spain.
    Formed in 1995, parent company Advanced Accessory Systems has become a
leading global supplier in roof rack systems, towing systems and related
accessories.  Headquartered in Sterling Heights, Mich., the company has 2,200
employees in 24 facilities within 15 countries and has annual sales revenue in
excess of $300 million.  Valley Industries, another of the Advanced Accessory
Systems companies, will exhibit in Booth No. 8747 at SEMA.