GM in Napa Valley giving XLR-V test drives

[Bruce Nunnally]

General Motors Toasts 26th Annual Auction Napa Valley

2006 Partnership Features Courtesy Fleet, Consumer Ride & Drive, Hybrid Bus Shuttle and E85 FlexFuel Vehicles

St. Helena, Calif. - For the third consecutive year, General Motors will be the auto maker of choice at Auction Napa Valley 2006. GM's involvement with this premier event continues to evolve and this year its presence will be more evident than ever before.

Throughout the week of the auction, GM will provide a courtesy fleet for the auction's top bidders and will host an expanded consumer ride-and-drive program that will feature a line-up of GM's hottest products. In addition, GM will donate two vehicles to Auction Napa Valley lots and will bring the company's energy and environmental efforts to the forefront by providing a hybrid bus shuttle to transport auction attendees. GM will also feature a variety of E85 ethanol FlexFuel vehicles as part of its courtesy fleet and consumer ride-and-drive.

"Auction Napa Valley is a great opportunity to showcase the latest GM products to consumers who attend the auction as well as to the Napa Valley community," said Susan Docherty, general manager of GM's Western Region. "With the courtesy fleet, the ride-and-drive program and the hybrid bus shuttle, auction attendees will be able to experience first-hand the broad scope of our dedication to creating the best and most innovative products."

GM's courtesy fleet, which will be used to transport the event's top bidders and other VIP guests to winery hospitality events and other functions, will include the 2007 Cadillac Escalade, the E85 FlexFuel 2007 GMC Yukon, Saab 9-7X, Cadillac SRX and other GM models.

Another extension of GM's partnership with auction organizers is the consumer ride-and-drive program, which runs from May 30 through June 2. Guests and news media will be able to test-drive GM's newest vehicles as part of their Auction Napa Valley experience. Vehicles included in this ride-and-drive demonstrate the depth and breadth of GM's product portfolio: Saturn Sky, Pontiac Solstice, Cadillac XLR-V, Saab 9-7X, Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon E85 FlexFuel, Hummer H3, Buick Lucerne, Cadillac STS-V and Cadillac DTS. Consumers can schedule their test drive appointments in advance by calling a toll-free number (800-713-1813) or simply by stopping by the ride-and-drive location (Meadowood Napa Valley on May 30 and Calistoga Ranch on May 31 - June 2).

To demonstrate GM's commitment to alternative fuel sources and environment, the company will provide a hybrid transit bus that will be utilized as part of Napa Valley Vintners' shuttle fleet. Powered by clean hybrid technology from GM, the transit bus improves fuel economy, lowers emissions and features the GM Allison Electric Drive system, one of the most efficient parallel hybrid systems available in the world today. Transit buses with GM's two-mode full hybrid system are ferrying passengers in cities throughout the U.S.

In addition, General Motors will also be featuring several of its E85 ethanol FlexFuel vehicles as part of its courtesy fleet, ride-and-drive program as well as the charity auction. The company's line of FlexFuel vehicles can run on either unleaded gasoline or E85 ethanol, a renewable, domestically-produced alternative fuel blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. E85 ethanol can contribute to energy independence because it diversifies the source of transportation fuels beyond petroleum, and it provides positive environmental benefits in the form of reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Two of GM's vehicles will be featured in two auction lots during the live auction on June 3 at Meadowood Napa Valley. The 2006 Corvette Z06 will be auctioned off as part of the Cakebread Cellars Chair's Lot, "Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!" and the 2007 Chevrolet Suburban E85 FlexFuel vehicle will be included in the "Wheels, Meals and Heels" auction lot. The top bidder for the second lot will donate the 2007 Suburban to a local Napa Valley charity that will be selected during the live auction.

About Napa Valley Vintners

Now in its seventh decade, the Napa Valley Vintners non-profit trade association is the sole organization responsible for promoting and protecting the Napa Valley Appellation as a winegrowing region second to none in the world. Respect for its history reinforces the association's commitment to the preservation and enhancement of the Valley's land, wine and community for future generations. Auction Napa Valley, an annual event of the Napa Valley Vintners, has generated more than $62 million since 1981 for a host of non-profits in the Napa Valley. For more information about Napa Valley Vintners or Auction Napa Valley, visit www.napavintners.com.