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SportRack Claims DaimlerChrysler, Kia Awards at SEMA

20 November 2000

SportRack Claims DaimlerChrysler, Kia Awards at SEMA

    STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., Nov. 20 SportRack Automotive
received DaimlerChrysler's "Best Truck of the Show" Award and the Kia Motors
"Most Valued Partner" recognition at the Specialty Equipment Market
Association's (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, Oct. 31 - Nov. 2.
    SportRack Automotive earned the DaimlerChrysler Award for Design
Excellence for their conceptually accessorized Dodge Dakota Quad Cab on
exhibit.  The truck featured a customized paint finish and displayed
innovative accessory concepts including:
    *  A tubular roof-top rack with uniquely mounted crossbars into the side
rails loaded with camping gear.
    *  An accessory transportation system that sits atop the tonneau cover and
is mounted into the side rails for transporting items, such as bicycles.
    *  A three-receiver tube hitch, from sister company Valley Automotive,
with an expandable basket mounted to the hitch at the rear of the vehicle for
additional cargo space.  The basket folds up neatly against the tailgate when
empty.
    *  A sliding bed extender on nylon glides that eliminates the need for
lifting the tonneau cover or climbing in the bed to load or remove cargo.
    *  A mounted fishing rod receiver attached to the underside of the tonneau
cover.
    *  A powered running board that retracts and extends for easy entry and
exit from the vehicle.

    "While all of these accessories are concepts right now, it is encouraging
to receive recognition from OEMs like DaimlerChrysler, as well as such
positive customer reaction.  We hope to offer many of these items in
production next year," SportRack Automotive President and COO Richard Borghi
said.
    This is the second consecutive year that SportRack Automotive has won
Kia's Most Valued Partner Award, which is awarded to suppliers based on
product quality, communication, delivery timing, warranty administration,
marketing support and packaging and shipment documentation.  SportRack
produces roof racks for the Kia Sportage SUV.
    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, Ontario, and Granby, Quebec.  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.