Ronald Zarrella and the model of the GM Experience

Photo: GM

"For example, there will be three advanced class vehicle concepts that apply the company's worldwide resources to meet specific regional needs. Innovation and sales leaders from the global portfolio will be on display. And, four all-new concept vehicles, plus two innovative new production vehicles will debut as well. General Motors has been a global company for decades, and showcasing our worldwide assets through this creative display will enable our customers, employees, business partners, media and other influential audiences to easily make this important connection," Zarrella said. The GM Experience lives up to its name by incorporating an 800-seat theater, a café and VIP areas to communicate corporate safety, environmental and technology displays.

The "Experience Theater" is an open-air amphitheater that can accommodate 1,200 viewers on two levels. Its proscenium is among the largest in North America, measuring 182 feet (55 meters) from end to end, with a stage that can accommodate up to five vehicles at one time. The "Experience Theater" will be home to a live stage show that features 16 characters, music, multi-media production and numerous stage sets all celebrating the automobile and the relationships people have with their vehicles. The six-minute show will run on the hour throughout the auto show's public days.

The "Experience Café" is an inviting, comfortable area on the second level with a campus-like quality to showcase safety, environmental, technology, mobility and heritage messages.

An Environmental Lab will house a demonstration of GM's proactive materials conservation, part of our environmental and recycling efforts. The entertaining demonstration includes a video by television science personality Bill Nye, while oversized cylinders, hoses, assorted steel drums, coils and circulation systems attached to a GMC Yukon "come to life" to enhance the description. The rich heritage of the company will be seen through both a creative wall highlighting General Motors' history and a display of some of the most significant GM vehicles of the 20th century.

Also new in this year's exhibit is a prominent and strong United Auto Workers-General Motors (UAW-GM) cooperation. From the first look at the GM Experience, the UAW-GM partnership is clearly and visually reflected. UAW members will also serve as product specialists in the exhibit.

All GM employees and dealers will receive special treatment during the show, with access to a special VIP area. Located behind sculpted glass panels on the north mezzanine wing, the VIP area offers an impressive view of the show floor as well as food and beverage service. The space accommodates almost 300 guests, and the company believes this will be the first time such a service has ever been offered by an automotive manufacturer at an auto show.

Scheduled to go on sale in the fall of 2000 as a 2001 model, Sequoia will be based on the Toyota Tundra full-size pickup truck.

Toyota Tundra

Photo: Toyota

Jim Press, TMS executive vice president, announced the name to journalists attending the Tokyo Motor Show at a press conference on Tuesday. Press said Sequoia represents strength and longevity. It will join Toyota's wide range of SUV's, including the compact car-based RAV4, the mid-sized 4Runner and the full-size Land Cruiser. Additional details on Sequoia will be announced at a later date.

Automobile Division sales rose 10.1% during the period to euros 24,053 million (FRF 157,780 million). Worldwide sales of Peugeot and Citroën passenger cars and CKD units increased 9.8% to 1,849,600 units. This performance reflects the continued success of the Peugeot 206 (398,200 units sold), the Citroën Berlingo (up 21.1%) and Peugeot Partner (up 20.3%) and the HDI diesel engine, which is now available on the Peugeot 206, as well as on the Citroën Xantia, Xsara and Synergy and the Peugeot 406, 306 and 806. In a European market that grew by 6.4%, sales of Group cars and light commercial vehicles rose by 12.9% to 1,619,600 units. Outside Europe, sales volumes decreased only by 8.4%.

The Automotive Equipment business increased its sales to outside companies by 5.2% during the period, to euros 2,177 million (FRF 14,278 million). The contribution of the Transportation business rose by 7.1% to euros 436 million (FRF 2,857 million) thanks to growth in merchandise shipping.

Revenues from the finance companies, which mainly consist of interest on the financing of sales, amounted to euros 787 million (FRF 5,166 million). This represents an increase of 53.1% from the first nine months of 1998, taking into account the full consolidation of Crédipar (the Group gained control of Crédipar in December 1998). At comparable scope of consolidation, revenues rose 0.6%. Banque PSA Finance had total outstandings of euros 12.2 billion (FRF 80.4 billion) at September 30, up 17.8% from the year before.

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