Plexus Systems Donates 2006 Chevrolet HHR for Raffle to Benefit FIRST Robotics/LEGO League

Vehicle Will Be Shown at the North American International Auto Show

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 11 -- Plexus Systems LLC has teamed with an elite group of companies from Michigan, Washington, California and Oklahoma to support kids and education by personalizing a 2006 Chevrolet HHR LT for the youth market. Called the Jones Soda Chevy HHR Original, the vehicle will be shown at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) during a business seminar hosted by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and be raffled off over the next few months with proceeds going to FIRST Robotics.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a multinational, non-profit organization that motivates young people to pursue career opportunities in science, technology and engineering by making science and math as cool for kids as sports. It is supported by businesses, educational institutions and government.

Plexus Systems, which donated the Chevrolet HHR, joined alternative soda pop star Jones Soda Company of Seattle, Wash., General Motors, Cauley Chevrolet of West Bloomfield, Mich., and the Detroit Area Chevrolet Dealers as well as several customizing companies to create this unique vehicle. Jones Soda was chosen as the theme for the vehicle because of its youth appeal and unique marketing programs.

"We are committed to helping children develop a passion for math and science as well as continuous learning," said Rob Beatty, Plexus Systems CEO. "Those skills are key to innovation and innovation is key to success. FIRST opens that door for students and offers them the opportunity to work alongside professional engineers to design, build and test robots, and then compete with them against other teams."

The one-of-a-kind bright tangerine Jones Soda Chevy HHR Original with root beer flames and a customized interior was designed to appeal to the 21st century customer. Experts believe many of those customers will purchase low-volume vehicles built to their individual specifications. That process will require manufacturers to further streamline their operations and rethink how they market and sell their products.

"Low-volume production may be the next big thing for the auto industry," Beatty said. "Those who succeed will be able to sell the vehicles online, build it to individual tastes and get it quickly into the buyer's hands. Our Plexus Online manufacturing information system was designed to help make that happen."

Plexus Systems designs, develops and hosts Plexus Online, the only fully-integrated online information system used to help companies streamline their operations. It allows those organizations to track and manage their entire business in real time on demand through a web browser, including sales, purchasing, quality, inventory management, shipping accounting, and more.

The Jones Soda Chevy HHR Original will be formally unveiled at the North American International Auto Show during the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's Technology Symposium on January 11 hosted by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm.

"The Jones Soda Chevy HHR Original is a wonderful, innovative project that will give FIRST additional funding to help invigorate children, instill a passion for learning science and technology and develop an understanding that mastering these can enrich their lives," said Dean Kamen, founder of FIRST. "We are grateful to these companies for their caring attitude and commitment to help children realize their dreams of becoming science and engineering heroes."

"This project is an investment in Plexus's future as well as those participating in FIRST," said Beatty. "Individuals who participate in programs such as FIRST are the kinds of innovative, committed people we want to hire at Plexus in the future."

The Jones Soda Chevy HHR Original will be formally unveiled at the NAIAS during the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's Technology Symposium on January 11. It also will be shown at Jones Soda events promoting Extreme Sports with several of Jones-sponsored athletes from Michigan and be featured on limited edition Jones Soda bottle labels.

Details of the raffle (including how to buy tickets) will be released soon.

Founded in 1995 and located in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Plexus Systems is the premier provider of On Demand business solutions. The Plexus Online software consists of over 350 modules allowing companies to manage all critical information in real time using a simple web browser. More information can be found at http://www.plex.com/ (for manufacturers) and http://www.plexusonline.net/ (for companies & organizations not involved with manufacturing).