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OWNERS CAN USE GM ACCESSORIES TO GET PERSONAL WITH THEIR CARS AND TRUCKS

Attractive financing and high quality make them a sound investment, too

Not only do vehicles represent a major investment, they say a lot about the people who drive them. General Motors offers a comprehensive portfolio of accessory products that are specifically designed and manufactured to the exact standards of each of GM’s eight vehicle brands.

At GM dealerships, owners can purchase accessories for their vehicles that range from plus-size wheels and tires, dual-headrest DVD rear-seat entertainment systems and elaborate cargo management systems to attention-getting automotive “jewelry” such as chrome accents.

“Our customers are looking for the value, security and the peace-of-mind advantage of purchasing accessories offered by the vehicle manufacturer versus an aftermarket supplier,” said David Poole, general director, GM Global Accessory Program Management. “Genuine accessories from GM won’t compromise the appearance or performance of our vehicles and vehicle systems. Furthermore, when they are included in the new-vehicle transaction, they are fully backed by GM’s 36-month/36,000-mile warranty.”

Poole said that when it comes to accessories, there is no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” approach.

To allow owners to personalize their vehicles while preserving the vehicle’s functionality, quality and brand identity, GM designs accessories at its exclusive GM Accessories Design Studio, the first automaker to use this process for accessories. The studio connects the accessory and vehicle designers to help ensure a factory-quality fit and finish as well as an integrated, tailored appearance.

"The common industry practice is to reverse-engineer accessories after the vehicle hits the streets,” said Poole. “That’s why some of our competitors’ aftermarket products look like an afterthought.”

Here’s a look at GM’s most popular accessory items for the 2009 model year:

Appearance accessories and large wheels

Vehicle owners are rolling out big wheel-and-tire combinations; chrome accent products that include mirror caps, exhaust tips and billet grilles; and sporty spoilers.

But while supersized wheels are big among stylish vehicle owners, not all wheel-and-tire combinations work with every vehicle, which is why GM and TIS Industries collaborated on D20 and D22 brand wheels. The D20 and D22 wheels are available at GM dealers for several 2009 GM products, including full-size pickups and SUVs.

The collaboration brings the trend-setting power of Myles Kovacs and the team behind DUB Magazine, considered the leading urban automotive lifestyle authorities because of their successful integration of music, celebrities and car culture – with the industry-leading quality and massive reach of General Motors.

All GM Accessories Wheel and Tire Systems include tires that meet GM's specific set of criteria – Tire Performance Criteria (TPC). The industry-leading TPC system ensures tire and wheel systems are integrated with the architecture of a specific GM car or truck. Upsize GM Accessories wheels and TPC tires are designed as a system and must be used as such, and meet or exceed all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).

Truck products

GM full-size trucks attract a whole range of customers, from stylish urban cowboys and cowgirls to serious tradespeople. Chevrolet Accessories and GMC Accessories let truck owners put their personal stamp on their truck with products that include premium tonneau covers, tow hooks, assist steps and bed liners and rugs.

One of the more popular accessories is an innovative cargo management rail system with 100 different features. Three rails run the length of the bed sides and behind the cab and incorporate upper and lower tracks. The system is available as a factory option, or a dealer-installed accessory.

These rails enable the use of a variety of accessory products including:

HUMMER Accessories has developed one of the industry’s broadest portfolios of vehicle accessories for the H3T, with more than 75 different items. Centered on active lifestyles, they include items such as removable and lockable bed-mounted storage boxes; an adjustable bike chock that can be used to help secure mountain bikes or motorcycles; and a bed extender that makes full use of the standard bed-rail cargo management system.

A range of additional accessories that improves off-road capabilities, provides passenger entertainment and enhances exterior styling is also available for the HUMMER H3.

Electronics

Owners are spending an increasing amount of time in their cars and trucks, and GM Accessories is making that second home seem more like home with a selection of high-quality electronic items.

Kids will again never ask “Are we there yet?” with a dealer-installed DVD rear-seat entertainment system, an alternative to a factory-installed system. Wireless headphones allow rear passengers to enjoy the audio program without disturbing other passengers.

Dual-Channel Noise-Cancelling Headphones, co-branded with Koss, help lessen road and engine noise, providing a movie- or concert-like listening experience for passengers. Each headphone is wireless with dual channels and volume control, and carries a lifetime limited warranty.

Backed by GM

Because they meet GM’s rigorous standards for safety and durability, all accessories offered by GM brands are backed by the promise of a General Motors warranty. Accessories permanently installed on a new GM vehicle at the time of delivery are covered under the GM New Vehicle Limited Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty, and can be included in the financing of the vehicle, making them both convenient and affordable. GM accessories permanently installed by a GM dealer after vehicle purchase are covered for the balance of the new vehicle warranty, and no less than 12 months or 12,000 miles.

GM Accessories and GM Performance Parts are sold in North America by Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, Cadillac, GMC, Saturn retailers, Saab and HUMMER dealerships. For more information about GM Parts, GM Accessories or GM Performance Parts or to locate the closest GM dealership, call 1-800-577-6888.

General Motors (NYSE: GM), 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.

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Contact:
Tom Henderson
GM SPO Communications
Office: 810-606-3114
Cell: 810-241-6470
E-mail: tom.e.henderson@gm.com

Antonio Sanchez Jimenez
Gerente de Relaciones Públicas y Comunicación
General Motors de Mexico
Office: 011-5255-5901-3042
E-mail: angelantonio.sanchezjimenez@gm.com

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