SATURN ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR SUMMER HOMECOMING SPECIAL EDITION HOMECOMING CAR REVEALED

SPRING HILL, Tenn., -- Details were announced today for the second Saturn Homecoming, a nationwide customer-enthusiasm event planned for Saturn owners July 30-31, 1999. According to Joe Kennedy, Saturn vice president of Sales, Service and Marketing, approximately 60,000 owners and guests are expected to descend on Saturn's spiritual home--the company's Spring Hill manufacturing facility--for the two-day extravaganza that will feature specially produced national-caliber entertainment and shows, parades, intramural athletic competitions, displays and the event's focus: plant tours.

Kennedy estimated that at least 150,000 additional people will participate in Homecoming events at Saturn retail stores across the country.

"We're known as a different kind of car company and this one-of-a-kind celebration is just one more way to show our customers how much we appreciate them," Kennedy said in making the announcement. "Ever since our first Homecoming in 1994, our customers have been asking to come back, and we're looking forward to hosting old friends and new owners at Saturn Homecoming in 1999."

What kind of person does it take to travel to the birthplace of their car? A special one to be sure. "Our owners are definitely unique," Kennedy said. "But we take great pride in the enthusiasm they bring to this event."

In 1994, for example, a Saturn owner heard that one Homecoming organizer was getting married shortly after the event. Along with her suitcase, she packed two crystal goblets for the Saturn friend she's never met. Another Saturn owner, car club president Charlie Brown, skipped the temporary tattoos available at the event and donned his own permanent version. Ron Smith, his wife, J.J., and his daughter, Amber, from Montpelier, Ohio, especially enjoyed the plant tour in 1994. J.J. was a bit surprised to meet one of the Saturn owners featured in a TV commercial and find out he wasn't an actor.

For one journey-proud owner, the road trip to Saturn Homecoming was just one among dozens. With more than 223,000 miles on her sedan, Vicki Childs from Illinois has also taken her car to Colorado, California, Florida and Wisconsin, just to name a few.

But Homecoming wasn't just for enthusiastic drivers who loaded up and drove to the event. "In 1994, we had a 30 person contingent from Taiwan," Kennedy explains. "In 1999, we expect a similar size group from Japan. Now that's enthusiasm."

For those who can't make the trip to Spring Hill, Saturn retailers are planning events at their facilities. In 1994, retailers hosted barbecues, car washes, car care seminars, rallies, amusement park outings and dozens of other activities in conjunction with Homecoming.

Of behalf of adventuresome owners, Saturn retailers are helping plan caravans to the Spring Hill event from various points across the United States. The caravans will depart several days before the July 30 event and travel to Spring Hill, stopping at Saturn stores and interesting attractions along the way. They also plan to pick up other owner caravans at strategic locations and make a grand entrance at the Spring Hill Homecoming site.

Homecoming in 1994 attracted 44,000 people from every state and two foreign countries. While many of the most popular activities are back by request, owners will have even more opportunity to explore the Spring Hill manufacturing and assembly complex this time around.

"This summer, Saturn owners will be able to tour all three of the manufacturing units: vehicle systems, powertrain and general assembly," said Betsy Chisholm, Homecoming coordinator. "The plant tours were a hot ticket in 1994, and we're glad we could expand them for this summer's visitors."

In addition to displays, car club activities, a variety of food stations and a carnival fair, Saturn enthusiasts will be entertained by special opening and closing ceremonies; Homecoming parades complete with floats, color guards, bands and marching regiments; and custom musical shows, including a lively rhythmic interpretation of the history and philosophy of Saturn.

"Homecoming is about building on a great customer relationship and increasing owner enthusiasm, so our intent is to make this a very special weekend," said Chisholm. "In fact, we are lining up some impressive entertainment for the evening programs and plan to have several music genres represented. Each night will be an entirely different show with national-caliber musical acts."

At Spring Hill, owners will also have the opportunity to drive the latest Saturn vehicles, including the redesigned 2000 Saturns and the new midsized LS sedan and wagon. In fact, Saturn officials unveiled a special edition Homecoming SL model during the Chicago Auto Show. The metallic green car has special features, such as combination leather/cloth seats, a white instrument cluster (rather than the standard black), and a black Saturn logo on the car's exterior replaces the standard red.

"Like the 1994 special edition vehicle, this car has a unique look," Kennedy said. "People still recognize the '94 special edition on the road, and were looking forward to making this limited edition commemorative '99 model available to our customers nationwide."

In keeping with Saturn's commitment to charity involvement, the Homecoming activities will support a special new partnership with Special Olympics. Retailers across the country will host Homecoming events that will also benefit Special Olympics and the corporation will make a donation to the charity during the Homecoming weekend.

"Homecoming will take place a few weeks after Special Olympics World Summer Games in Raleigh-Durham, N.C., and we're inviting some of the athletes to come celebrate with us at our retailers and in Spring Hill as they return home from their competitions," said Kennedy. "This inspiring group of winners knows the value of teamwork, and we're honored to be partnering with them."

Internet enthusiasts can find out more about Homecoming activities at www.Saturn.com, and owners interested in attending Saturn Homecoming should call 1-800-2Saturn.