GM Performance Division Now Under One Roof

FOR RELEASE: December 4, 2002

GM Performance Division Opens Engineering Development Center

WARREN, Mich. -The gearheads at General Motors have a new place to tinker.

GM Performance Division has now combined its various workshops under one roof at the GM Technical Center. The 18,000-square-foot facility - known as the Performance Engineering Development Center - will house all of GM Performance Division's projects.

"The opening of this Engineering Development Center further illustrates that GM is serious about bringing gotta-have vehicles to showroom floors," said Mark Reuss, executive director of GM Performance Division.

The center becomes home for GM Performance Division's prototypes, show vehicles, concepts and production-intent vehicles.

Its centerpiece is the 10,500-square-foot garage. It features eight vehicle bays, four of which include hoists for major body and engine work and simultaneous projects. There also is a part and component paint laboratory and an advanced electronics lab.

The rest of the building has space for offices, workstations, storage and a conference room. The office portion is scheduled to be completed by February 2003.

"The Performance Engineering Development Center will function as the key development workshop for Performance Division initiatives," said Reuss. "It's not the Performance Division headquarters."

The center will staff a shop manager, parts manager and two on-site technicians. GM Performance Division's executive staff will remain at GM Design.

GM Performance Division draws on its close relationships with specialists at GM Powertrain, GM Engineering and GM Service and Parts Operations to create unique, enthusiast-oriented vehicles. All vehicles developed through the division, including production models, carry a "GM Performance Division" badge on the engine.

The Cadillac CTS V-Series will be the division's first vehicle when it begins production late next year as a 2004 model. V-Series enhancements will include substantially increased horsepower over the standard engine; manual or automatic-manual transmission; performance-tuned suspension; and special interior and exterior badging.

Production versions of the Chevrolet Silverado SS, Pontiac Bonneville GXP and the Saturn ION "tuner" vehicles are also currently under development in conjunction with the Performance Division.

General Motors , the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds and markets cars and trucks worldwide, and has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.