SIX FINALISTS SELECTED FOR BEST 2002 CAR, TRUCK INTERIORS

WINNERS TO BE NAMED AT ANNUAL AUTO INTERIORS SHOW The Show Highlights Automotive Interior Design, Technology; Co-Conferences Focus On Telematics, Materials, Sealants

DETROIT, May 10, 2002 -- Six finalists have been named for the 2002 Car and Truck Interior of the Year Awards, which are presented by Auto Interiors magazine during the annual Auto Interiors Show at Detroits Cobo Conference Center.

The two winners will be announced Tuesday, May 14, on the opening day of the 2002 Show, which runs through Thursday, May 16.

The objective of the judging is to identify the car and truck whose interiors stand out for their beauty, functionality and innovation," said Carmen Pang, editor of Auto Interiors. The six finalists each have something unique that differentiates them from some very tough competition," she said.

The judges were impressed by the sheer beauty of several entries, others scored points for their well-thought-out and functional interiors, and others got our attention simply because they are different and refreshing," she added.

Finalists for the Truck Interior of the Year Award are the Chevrolet Avalanche, the Lincoln Blackwood and the Honda CR-V. Car finalists are the Ford Thunderbird, the BMW 7-Series and the Mini Cooper.

The finalists were selected from more than 30 domestic and import cars and trucks, all of which are all-new 2002 model year vehicles or major redesigns for this model year. Judging was conducted at a series of auto shows and during test drives.
   All vehicles were judged on the following criteria:
•   Appearance -- styling, color, material, fit and finish;
•   Functionality -- comfort, convenience and safety;
•   Innovation -- surprise and delight factors; and
•   Overall impression of the vehicle in motion and at rest.

The winners and finalists will all be profiled in an upcoming issue of Auto Interiors magazine, Pang said.

Auto Interiors Show Features

The 2002 Auto Interiors Show, the most influential annual exposition and conference focused on automotive interior design and technology, attracts more than 6,000 automotive interior designers and engineers. It is presented by Auto Interiors magazine and produced by VNU Expositions.

This years show will feature more than 250 interior-focused demonstrations and solutions from the worlds leading Tier One, Tier Two, and Tier Three automotive suppliers. More than 200 companies will be exhibiting products and services in the fields of electronic/digital technology, materials, finished products and components parts, equipment and services.

In addition to the Auto Interiors Show, six other related events will be co-located at the Cobo Center:
•   Automotive Textiles, Plastics and Coatings Association workshops, May 14
•   Industrial Designers Society of America Conference, May 14
•   Eye-for-Auto Telematics 2002 Conference, May 15-16
•   Automotive Sealant Council Conference, May 16
•   Adhesive and Sealant Council Seminar, May 16
•   INDA Non-Woven Fabric Associations Seminar, May 16

Exhibitor and attendee registration information can be found at www.autointeriorshow.com or by calling 1-800-933-8735 or 770-569-1540 ext. 560.

Launched in January 1994, Auto Interiors is a monthly publication serving the automotive interiors industry. The magazine is dedicated to delivering information on the current and future design, innovation and technology trends in the global automotive interiors business, as well as providing solutions for industry executives seeking better ways to design, engineer, manufacture and deliver products to their customers around the world. Content covers emerging technologies, including such important allied fields as electronics, new materials and processes, innovative products, government regulations and their impact on the comfort, convenience and safety of the automobiles occupants.
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