Las Vegas - High-performance variants of GM cars and trucks will headline the General Motors display at this year's 2002 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, Nov. 5-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

GM's exhibit will feature an exciting lineup of Chevrolet, Cadillac, Pontiac and Saturn vehicles with performance and appearance upgrades made possible by GM's newly formed Performance Division. In addition, show-goers will see a collection of brand-directed special vehicles just released from the GM "Toy Box."

"GM is focused on building vehicles that customers feel they must own," says Gary Cowger, president of GM North America. "And our SEMA display is pure proof. We have products that will appeal to enthusiasts in every segment, especially customers driven by performance and customization."

GM's passion for "gotta have" cars and trucks is evidenced in more than 40 show vehicles that push the limits of performance and appearance, and display innovative new levels of technology and functionality.

The new performance families of Chevrolet, Pontiac, Cadillac and Saturn will be center stage for GM during a special presentation for media at the Guggenheim Museum in the Venetian Hotel on Monday, November 4, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. All media are invited to attend and transportation will be provided to and from the Las Vegas Convention Center.

On Tuesday, November 5, from 11:10 a.m.-11:40 a.m. Cowger, GM Vice President John Middlebrook and other key GM executives will provide a briefing for news media and SEMA members in the GM exhibit.

Among the performance-oriented initiatives on the exhibit floor will be several cars that explore the potential for GM's global Ecotec inline four-cylinder engine. Supercharged versions of the Ecotec are featured in the Chevy Cavalier Z-24 as well as in the Pontiac Sunfire GX/P.

The annual SEMA show is a kind of litmus test, says Cowger, because it allows GM to gauge reaction to new designs and technologies from people who know the most about specialty vehicles - the customizers and accessory producers.

"SEMA provides an important venue for us to test new ideas, some of which are destined to go into production," says Cowger. "GM is aggressively working to increase our own share of the customization business and to leverage the expertise of our SEMA partners in order to produce attractive, emotionally compelling variations of our products."

GM's goal is to make GM vehicles the preferred "canvas" for customization, both by SEMA members who develop aftermarket equipment and individuals. GM provides discounted vehicles to SEMA members so that they can display their accessories at the 2002 SEMA show, says Middlebrook, general manager of Vehicle Brand Marketing.

"Tapping into customers' desire for personalization is an increasingly important part of the equation for developing 'gotta-have' products," says Middlebrook.

To expand its opportunities in the customization arena, GM is featuring a variety of performance parts and accessories from its Service Parts and Powertrain organizations. GM SPO will display restoration parts, performance parts and a variety of accessories in a special outdoor venue against a backdrop of Chevrolet pace cars and other motorsports themed vehicles.

Vehicles that highlight the versatility of its broad range of trucks also will be displayed. The GMC Pro Series brings numerous built-in professional grade features to versions of the Envoy and Yukon sport utilities, Sierra full-size pickup and Savana full-size van.

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.