Using information gained from Kelley Blue Book's extensive analysis of new- and used-vehicle values, the company determined one vehicle brand as having the best projected overall resale value among its 2009 fleet, named resale value leaders in 15 major vehicle segments and honors the top 10 for 2009 model-year vehicles with the best projected resale value.

2009 BEST RESALE VALUE: BRAND

Honda

2009 BEST RESALE VALUE: BY VEHICLE CATEGORY

COMPACT PICKUP: Toyota Tacoma

FULL-SIZE PICKUP: Toyota Tundra

CROSSOVER: Honda CR-V

LUXURY CROSSOVER: BMW X5

HYBRID CROSSOVER: Toyota Highlander Hybrid

SUV: Jeep Wrangler

LUXURY SUV: Audi Q7 Quattro

HYBRID SUV: Chevrolet Tahoe

HIGH-PERFORMANCE CAR: Nissan GT-R

HYBRID CAR: Honda Civic Hybrid

COMPACT CAR: MINI Cooper

MID-SIZE CAR: Lexus IS

FULL-SIZE CAR: Cadillac CTS

LUXURY CAR: Audi A5

VAN: Honda Odyssey

2009 BEST RESALE VALUE: TOP 10 MODELS

Honda Civic/Civic Hybrid

Honda Fit

MINI Cooper

Scion xB

Scion xD

Scion tC

Toyota Corolla

Toyota Prius

Toyota Yaris

Volkswagen Rabbit

(All values based on the November/December 2008 Kelley Blue Book Residual Value Guide. Top 10 models appear in alphabetical order).

A Look at 2008 and 2009

During 2008, the United States slipped further into economic decline. Not only did the country see a sharp decline in the health of the stock and housing markets, but the current year saw the lowest level of vehicle sales in decades. The 2008 economy was tough not just for the domestic auto manufacturers, but for the first time in many years import manufacturers felt the blunt-force effects of the U.S. economy first-hand. Year-over-year sales for nearly every manufacturer began falling early in the year, with significant declines felt industry-wide by November 2008. With continued soft demand for new cars in 2009, manufacturers have been quick to cut production levels, cut shifts, shutter doors at manufacturing plants and even lay off thousands of workers to keep the lights on at headquarters. Now there is an expectation that new vehicle sales will not reach the mid-year projection of 13.6 million units by December 31, 2008, in contrast to the more than 16.1 million vehicle units sold in 2007.

High gas prices in Spring 2008 drove used-car values in the truck and SUV segments spiraling downward and by mid-year had changed the buying and driving habits of a majority of kbb.com new-car shoppers. Even though the pain at the pump has eased, the economy is still a factor in consumers' continual gravitation toward inexpensive, fuel-friendly vehicles.

"There was a perfect storm of economic issues this year," said Eric Ibara, director, market valuation for Kelley Blue Book. "The collapse of the stock markets and credit markets in September, as well as several major banks, took the only leg this industry was standing on and cut it off at the knee."

In last year's residual value analysis, Jack R. Nerad, executive market analyst, predicted the industry downturn and a possible recession in the world's largest economy in 2008. The words he stated in November 2007, still hold true today. "With all the attention being paid to the

real-estate, banking and credit markets as well as oil prices, there has not been enough focus on how important the auto industry is in our country."

While in 2008 Kelley Blue Book saw a small rise in residuals among a few manufacturers, the overall industry average decrease from 2008 to 2009 is four percent of original Manufacturers' Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). All increases and decreases in residual percentages throughout this release are based on a vehicle's original MSRP, or average MSRP of a brand or make.

With the downward shift in the economy, only four manufacturers saw slight increases in their residual averages, while the rest declined one percent to a maximum drop of 10 percent. The four brands able to manage increases in their 2009 residual values are MINI, Scion, Suzuki and Toyota.

Next to buying a home, buying a car is one of the largest financial decisions a person can make. With consumers facing even tougher financial decisions over the next year, in-market new-car buyers can find some relief by taking a closer look at vehicles that will maintain a greater amount of their value over a five-year ownership period.

Best Resale Value Brands

This year's 2009 overall Best Resale Value: Brand award goes to Honda. While Honda came in fourth in the 2008 rankings, they have reclaimed the top spot for 2009 with their fuel-efficient, small-car lineup. Honda and Acura shared the award for Best Resale Value: Brand in 2007. Honda's brand strength combined with a fuel efficient lineup and solid reputation has allowed the brand to once again rise to the top.

"Honda has delivered rock-solid products year after year, and for today's market the brand has the right types of vehicles in showrooms in an environment in which sticker price, fuel economy, value and content are critical to meeting new-car buyers' everyday needs," said Nerad. "The fact that Honda is not involved in the full-size SUVs and pickup truck segments, both of which suffered this year, helped it to claim Kelley Blue Book's top honor for 2009."

Toyota is one of the four manufacturers to see an increase in its projected residual values for their 2009 model-year vehicles. The small average brand increase of 1.3 percent, in a market where most manufacturers saw a decline, allowed Toyota to jump from the No. 10 spot in 2008 to the No. 2 spot in Kelley Blue Book's brand rankings for 2009.

In 2009, the brands at the top of the list were able to maintain their residuals best through the economic struggles of 2008. Criteria for the Best Resale Value Awards required the brand to have a minimum of four nameplates in its portfolio, a factor that eliminated the highest-ranking brand performers MINI and Scion, which both carry five-year residual percentages of more than 50 percent across their small vehicle line-ups.

               Top 10 Brands:                          Top 10 Brands:
            Best Resale Value 2009                  Best Resale Value 2008
    1.  Honda             44.5                     1.  Volkswagen      48.1
    2.  Toyota            42.7                     2.  BMW             45.6
    3.  Volkswagen        40.9                     3.  Acura           45.4
    4.  Subaru            39.4                     4.  Honda           45.2
    5.  Lexus             38.7                     5.  Porsche         44.9
    6.  BMW               38.0                     6.  Subaru          44.4
    7.  Infiniti          37.3                     7.  Lexus           43.2
    8.  Acura             36.8                     8.  Infiniti        43.1
    9.  Audi              36.5                     9.  Audi            42.6
    10. Nissan            36.5                     10. Toyota          41.4

    Average Residual Value across the vehicle brand based on the
    November/December 2007 and November/December 2008 Kelley Blue Book
    Official Residual Value Guides.

Throughout the last half-decade, Volkswagen had made its way up in the rankings with the majority of its vehicles holding an average of 48 percent or more of their original MSRP. However, the economy has driven the entire market downward. In 2008, Volkswagen earned its top position through the combination of value pricing, European styling and fuel efficiency; however older models including the Toureg and Jetta have weighed heavily on the brand. While still being one of the top brands with great resale value, it has fallen to the No. 3 spot on the overall best brands list.

All of the brands on the top 10 list from last year maintained their membership in this elite group, with the one exception of Porsche. New on the list for 2009 is Nissan. While the other nine brands carried over from last year, their positions on the list changed, except for Audi, which remained in ninth place. In a year that has been challenging for products in the luxury categories, it is a testament to the strength of the brands that Lexus, Infiniti, Audi, BMW and Acura returned to the top ten brands list.

Domestic Brands

The domestic manufacturers have struggled in the last few months of 2008. The credit crunch and the turmoil in the U.S. economy have only exacerbated the situation. In the face of smaller market shares at retail in the past decade, the domestic manufacturers have cut production and lowered fleet volumes in an effort to raise their residual values, but the economy unfortunately did not allow for that increase in 2009 models.

Ford: The family of Ford brands experienced a collective average decline in residual value of 3.5 percent for the 2009 model year, the lowest average decline among the domestic brands. However, Ford cars

out-performed the industry with the Focus and Mazda3 showing

year-over-year gains. Other high-performing vehicles include the Ford Fusion and the Mercury Milan. These high-residual models helped offset weakness in Ford's Mustang and Volvo's S80. Ford has built its name on its trucks, but for 2009, Ford SUVs didn't reach the sales or popularity that they have experienced in the past. Gas-guzzling models, including the Expedition, Navigator and Taurus X suffered the most. Mazda's CX-7 and

CX-9 also showed year-over-year weakness.

General Motors: GM saw an average residual decline of 4.6 percent from 2008 models to 2009. Of the eight General Motors brands, Pontiac and Saturn helped keep the values of GM more stable than its makes heavy with large trucks and SUVs. The Pontiac G5 increased by three points and the Pontiac Vibe also increased by the same amount. GM's 2009 average residual value is weighed-down by poor-performing and older models like the Cadillac STS, Cadillac Escalade and the Saab 9-7X. While Cadillac's residuals are suffering, the redesigned 2009 CTS model is a Best Resale Value Award winner. Additionally, General Motors won Kelley Blue Book's Hybrid SUV category with its Tahoe Hybrid.

Chrysler: The collection of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles saw the largest decline of any domestic manufacturer at 6.6 percent from 2008 to 2009. Based on Kelley Blue Book's residual analysis, Chrysler's greatest asset to date is the Jeep brand, with the Jeep Wrangler being only one of the three domestic vehicles to win a 2009 Best Resale Value Award. Chrysler's decrease can be attributed to falling residuals on their once popular Chrysler 300, Town & Country and Caravan minivans, as well as its newer SUV, the Chrysler Aspen.

While Asian imports represent the majority of the 2009 Best Resale Value models, they also are now facing grim times in the U.S. economy. In comparison to the domestics' fall in residual value performance, vehicles from Japanese and Korean manufacturers also saw aggregated declines. While the whole industry experienced a decrease in residual averages for 2009, domestic brands only fell 2.5 percent more than Japanese imports.

    Residual Decreases by Country of
     Origin                             Percentage
    Japanese Imports                     -2.2 %
    Korean Imports                       -3.7 %
    European Imports                     -4.6 %
    Domestic Brands                      -4.7 %

"There really isn't a lot of good news for anyone right now. The domestic manufacturers have been seeking an economic bailout from the government and we hope that will be sufficient to breathe life back into this once vibrant industry," said Ibara. "There is a long road ahead of us in the auto industry; everyone is suffering now, not just our home-grown auto makers."

Even with an overall industry decline in residuals, the Japanese import brands were able to maintain their residual values better than Korean and European brands. 2009 residuals for Honda held firm on the strength of the Honda Fit, Civic and CR-V crossover. Even though 2009 Toyota residuals are somewhat held down by the number of large SUVs and trucks in their line-up, Toyota was able to manage a 1.3 percent average increase in their 2009 residuals to claim the No. 2 spot for top brands based on the strengths of their compact and fuel-efficient Yaris, Corolla and Prius hybrid.

Among the Japanese imports, Suzuki also was one of the four brands to see an increase in residual values, with an increase of 4.4 percent. Suzuki's increase can be attributed to the discontinuation of Daewoo-based products in their lineup.

The Korean imports, best known for their compact, fuel-sipping and inexpensive stable of vehicles, saw little decline in their residual values. It is expected that that they will continue to benefit from their diminutive sticker prices, improved product quality and

better-than-average gas mileage.

Vehicles with Low Resale Value

Many of the vehicles with the lowest residual values are vehicles with long lifecycles, high production levels and those models with heavy representation in the fleet market. A number of this year's vehicles with the lowest retained value include vehicles that are not fuel friendly with large V-8 engines.

The 2009 vehicles with the lowest expected resale value after five years of ownership include the Ford Expedition V-8, Mercury Mountaineer V-8, Dodge Durango V-8, Lincoln Town Car V-8 and the GMC Savannah Van V-8. These 2009 model- year gas misers, with their V-8 engines and older body styles, will only maintain 20 percent of their original value after five years of ownership.

"The vehicles that dwell at the low end of the resale value list this year are victims of the gas crisis the country experienced earlier in the year," said Nerad. "While gas prices have eased, the status of our economy is driving shoppers toward more fuel-efficient vehicles in an effort to save money both on purchase price and fuel usage."

Hybrid Vehicles

The values that hybrids saw in the market during 2008 confirmed for Kelley Blue Book that the premium these vehicles garner will hold even at five years of ownership. While hybrids saw an overall increase in residual values, the luxury or performance hybrids like the Lexus LS400h and the Lexus GS400h saw significant declines.

"The hybrid vehicles with the highest fuel efficiencies, which are generally the smaller, more compact hybrids will hold their value well over the next five years," said Ibara. "The luxury or performance hybrids do not offer a significant improvement in fuel economy, especially when compared to the price premium over their non-hybrid sibling. Customers attracted to these models are not necessarily looking for a fuel-efficient alternative, and so far this attraction has not held up well in the

used-car market."

About Kelley Blue Book(R) Residual Values

Based on projections by Kelley Blue Book's expert staff of market analysts encapsulated in the Kelley Blue Book Official Residual Value Guide, the prestigious Kelley Blue Book Best Resale Value Awards honor vehicles expected to maintain the greatest proportion of their retail prices after five years of ownership. Low-volume vehicles and vehicles with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of more than $60,000 are excluded from awards consideration except in the High Performance and Luxury categories.

While the company's Official Residual Value Guide has been published since 1981, Kelley Blue Book established its annual Best Resale Value Awards in 2003. Kelley Blue Book reports projections based on current vehicle data, sales data, market conditions for each vehicle, competition within vehicle segments, expectations of the future economy and the combined experience of Kelley Blue Book's team of market and pricing analysts. Kelley Blue Book's residual values are used by banks, financial institutions, governmental agencies and the automotive leasing industry.

For more information about Kelley Blue Book's Best Resale Value Awards, please visit www.kbb.com/brva09.

About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)

Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource(R), has provided vehicle buyers and sellers with the new and used vehicle information they need to accomplish their goals with confidence. The company's top-rated Web site, www.kbb.com, provides the most up-to-date pricing and values, including the New Car Blue Book(R) Value, which reveals what people actually are paying for new cars. The company also reports vehicle pricing and values via products and services, including software products and the famous Blue Book(R) Official Guide. According to the C.A. Walker Research Solutions, Inc. - 2008 Spring Automotive Web Site Usefulness Study, kbb.com is the most useful automotive information Web site among new and used vehicle shoppers, and half of online vehicle shoppers visit kbb.com. Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car prices, car reviews and news, used car blue book values, auto classifieds and car dealer locations. No other medium reaches more in-market vehicle shoppers than kbb.com.

SOURCE Kelley Blue Book

http://www.kbb.com

"To compete in the crowded camera marketplace, it was critical that we understand how our customers depend on the Internet," said Ned Bunnell, President of PENTAX Imaging Company. "We leveraged our key findings to elevate and revitalize the brand's digital presence."

The campaign's creative look and feel simplifies the brand's new positioning to "BE INTERESTING." The tagline has changed the face of all PENTAX communications, including brochures, packaging and internal communications. Throughout the digital creative, simple, thought-provoking reminders challenge and encourage the independent spirit; those thoughts are married with bold, iconic images of PENTAX products.

"The 'BE INTERESTING' direction came from a deep consumer insight we gained while getting to know the PENTAX brand and their loyalists. PENTAX users, and people who are naturally drawn to the brand, truly are independent spirits. They don't follow. They decidedly beat their own drum. The campaign's idea is to celebrate that independent spirit. And tie that spirit directly into PENTAX products," said Jim Real, Associate Creative Director/Copy at RPA.

Screen grabs of the home page are located here:

http://services.rpa.com/cafe_extranet/extranet.asp?v=_PHXC7N3Y0LDT4TO4|I6UH-.BRBZJR7.

About PENTAX Imaging Company

PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of digital SLR and compact cameras, lenses, flash units, binoculars, scopes, eyepieces, mobile printers and scanners. For almost 90 years, PENTAX has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of consumers and businesses. With headquarters in Golden, Colorado, PENTAX Imaging Company is a division of HOYA CORPORATION.

About RPA

RPA, headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., is a leading independent advertising agency based on the West Coast, with more than $1 billion in billings. RPA builds momentum for brands by offering its clients truly integrated campaigns that resonate throughout its disciplines, which include traditional advertising, interactive, and direct and event marketing. RPA's client list includes American Honda, both the Honda and Acura brands, La-Z-Boy, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Pharmavite's SOYJOY and PENTAX Imaging Company, and it is the media planning and buying agency for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Lenox Financial Mortgage and Reily Foods. For more information, visit http://www.rpa.com.

SOURCE: PENTAX

for PENTAX 
Britt McColl, 310-633-6485 
bmccoll@rpa.com

"There is no shortage of demand for quality local entertainment content. This outstanding growth is a testament to the depth and breadth of Metromix information, and demonstrates that our visitors enjoy our optimal blend of editorial and user content -- and rely on it daily," said Kara Walsh, CEO of Metromix LLC. "Metromix is well established as the 'go-to' trusted entertainment resource in the local markets we serve. Our goal in 2009 is to continue to develop and expand the Metromix network to millions of new consumers in cities across the U.S."

To further enhance visitors' experiences and create additional site "stickiness," Metromix has introduced innovative features that include:

-- Commenting -- encouraging visitors to comment on restaurants, movies, photo galleries, etc.

-- Social playlisting -- the ability to create and share lists of favorite things to do and places to go.

-- The "What's Nearby" iPhone application -- an application that allows iPhone users to find nearby entertainment options including restaurants and movie theaters (with show times) based on their GPS position; using the iPhone's accelerometer, the application will also respond to a simple shake and provide a randomly selected venue.

The expanded Metromix network is rapidly becoming a viable and valuable marketing medium for national brand marketers as they look for ways to increase visibility and engagement with local tastemakers. Some of the country's most recognizable brands have partnered with Metromix across its network in 2008 to reach consumers directly including Blackberry Curve, Miller, Acura, Discover Card, Toyota, Lexus, Jet Blue, Axe, Coors, Bacardi, AT&T, Universal Studios and Nike among others.

Reflective of this success, Metromix has won many industry awards. In the past year alone, they have won Editor & Publisher's 2008 EPpy award for "Best Overall Design of a Website" and the Upper Midwest Chapter of National Television Academy Emmy in the "Arts/Entertainment -- Advanced Media (Affiliated)" category.

ABOUT METROMIX

Metromix is a national network of local entertainment websites that target 21 to 34 year-olds and provides information on where to go and what to do. Formed through a joint venture between Tribune Company and Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), two of the country's largest media companies with newspapers, TV stations and websites in the nation's top markets, Metromix is currently operating in 35 markets and is planning rapid expansion into all top 30 DMA markets by the end of 2009. Metromix has received a number of awards, including an EPpy Award for Best Entertainment Site and the Digital Edge Award for Best Advertising Program. The network currently attracts nearly four million monthly unique visitors and generates over 45 million monthly pageviews.

(1) Based on Omniture internal tracking software analysis (October 2008)

(2) Based on separate Nielsen and comScore estimates (October 2008)

SOURCE Metromix LLC

http://www.metromix.com

The Hart poll, conducted Nov. 11-12, found that 55% of Americans believe that the government should provide loans to American automakers, while 30% oppose. Members of all political stripes (Democrats, Republicans and independents) support this action. By an even wider margin (64% to 25%), Americans agree with President-elect Barack Obama's stand of ensuring that the American automobile industry is able to continue to operate.

Hart said that behind the support for the automakers is a fear that the failure of GM, Ford, and Chrysler in the next few years could trigger an economic depression (with 60% believing a depression would result). Nearly 80% (79%) of Americans believe that the auto industry is very or extremely important to the U.S. economy.

The Hart poll found that Americans have deep concerns about the harmful impacts of the collapse of the U.S. auto industry:

    --  90% fear the harm it would do to America's manufacturing sector.
    --  84% of Americans say it would harm the U.S. economy.
    --  70% fear the harm it would do to America's standing in the world.
    --  68% worry about the lack of consumer choice for America's car
        buyers.

"The public sees in stark terms the harm it would do to the country if the domestic auto industry no longer had the resources to produce vehicles," Hart said. "It is recognition that it is the country's central manufacturing base."

The polling organization of Peter D. Hart Research Associates was commissioned by General Motors to conduct an independent survey. GM had no input or review of the design, methodology, content or interpretation of the survey.

The poll was conducted by telephone among a cross section of 804 American adults on Nov. 11 and 12, 2008. The data's margin of error is plus or minus 3.5 percentage points for 804 adults at the 95% confidence level. Sample tolerances for subgroups are larger.

    1724 Connecticut Avenue, NW               Interviews: 804 adults
    Washington, DC 20009                      Dates: November 11-12, 2008
    (202) 234-5570


    FINAL                                     48  Male
                                              52  Female
    Study #8877                             [109]
    Auto Industry Survey
    November 2008

Please note: all results are shown as percentages unless otherwise stated.

    1. Do you or does anyone in your household work in market or opinion
       research, advertising or public relations, media, including radio,
       television, print, or on-line publications, or the auto industry,
       including auto sales, manufacturing, or finance?

       Yes                            -       TERMINATE      [137]
       No                            100       CONTINUE
         Not sure/refused             -       TERMINATE

    2.  For statistical purposes only, would you please tell me how old you
        are?  (IF "REFUSED," ASK:) Well, would you tell me which age group
        you belong to?

        18-24                          4      [138-139]
        25-29                          8
        30-34                         13
        35-39                          6
        40-44                          7
        45-49                         12
        50-54                         11
        55-59                         11
        60-64                          9
        65 -69                         6
        70-74                          5
        75 and over                    7
          Refused                      1

    3a.  And again, for statistical purposes only, are you from a Hispanic
         or Spanish-speaking background?

         Yes, Hispanic                  10       [140]
         No, not Hispanic               90
           Not sure/refused             -

    3b.  And again, for statistical purposes only, what is your race --
         white, black, Asian, or something else?

         White                          76       [141]
         Black                          11
         Asian                           1
         Other                           4
           Hispanic (VOL)                7
           Not sure/refused              1

My next questions are about the American automobile industry. . .

    4.  How important do you feel the American automobile industry is
        to the American economy -- extremely important, very important,
        somewhat important, not important, or not at all important?

        Extremely important            38       [142]
        Very important                 41
        Somewhat important             17
        Not important                   2
        Not at all important            1
          Not sure                      1

    5.  If the American automobile industry no longer had the resources
        to produce vehicles, how much harm would it cause to (READ ITEM)
        -- a great deal of harm, quite a bit of harm, just some harm, or
        very little harm?

          THIS TABLE HAS BEEN RANKED BY THE PERCENTAGE WHO SAY A
                          GREAT DEAL OF HARM

                                              Harm
                                      A    Quite Just  Very  Not
                                    Great  A Bit Some Little Sure
                                     Deal  ----- ---- ------ ----
                                     ----

    America's manufacturing job
     sector                             58    32    7     2    1  [146]
    The American economy                52    32   12     3    1  [143]
    America's standing in the world     37    33   19     7    4  [144]
    Consumer choice for America's
     car buyers                         37    31   21     8    3  [145]

    6.  Do you believe that the government should or should not provide
        loans to America's automakers so they have the money to
        manufacture vehicles?

        Government should provide loans         55      [147]
        Government should not provide loans     30
          Not sure                              15

    7.  President-elect Barack Obama has stated that one of his first
        economic priorities as president is to make sure that the
        American automobile industry continues to be able to operate, and
        he favors an economic assistance program to help them.  Do agree
        or disagree with him?

        Agree                         64      [148]
        Disagree                      25
          Not sure                    11

    8.  Do you believe that America's automakers will face bankruptcy
        without government loans?

        Yes                           60      [149]
        No                            22
          Not sure                    18

    9.  The federal government has recently provided financial aid to the
        insurance and banking industries to make sure that these industries
        do not fail. Do you feel that providing financial aid to ensure
        that the U.S. auto industry does not fail is more important, just
        as important, or less important?

        More important                 14       [150]
        Just as important              55
        Less important                 27
          Not sure                      4

    10.  If General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler were to go out of business
         in the next few months, how likely do you think this would be to
         trigger an economic depression in the U.S. -- extremely likely,
         very likely, somewhat likely, not likely, or not at all likely?

         Extremely likely               33       [151]
         Very likely                    27
         Somewhat likely                29
         Not likely                      7
         Not at all likely               2
           Not sure                      2

    11.  I'm going to describe several reasons some people say it is
         important to ensure the survival of America's automakers. Please
         tell me how important you feel each reason is using a
         zero-to-ten scale, on which a "ten" means that you feel that
         reason is extremely important, and "zero" means you feel it is
         not at all important.

         (AFTER EACH ITEM READ:)  On a scale of zero to ten, how important
         is this as a reason to ensure the survival of America's automakers?

      THIS TABLE HAS BEEN RANKED BY THE PERCENTAGE WHO SAY EXTREMELY
                        IMPORTANT (SCORE OF 9-10)
                 Extremely                           Not At All
                 Important                           Important  Cannot
                 10    9     8    7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0  Rate
                 --    -     -    -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  ----
    To protect
    American
    Jobs         51   10    15    9   3   5   1   2   1   1   1   1 [152-153]



    To keep
    this
    recession
    from
    becoming a
    depression   37   11    18    9   5   8   3   2   2   1   3   1 [154-155]



    America
    can't
    afford for
    China, Japan,
    South Korea,
    and Europe
    to lead the
    way in
    building
    cars that
    run on
    alternative
    fuels        39    7    15    7   6  13   2   2   3   1   3   2 [158-159]



    America will
    be a weaker
    nation if it
    can't
    manufacture
    cars and
    trucks        31  10    15   11   6  11   4   4   2   1   4   1 [160-161]



    Because
    America's
    manufacturing
    base is
    important
    for national
    security      29   8   15   12    8  11   3   5   1   1   5   2 [156-157]

12. Let me read you four facts about the auto industry's effect on the American economy.

    1. The U.S. auto industry affects numerous other American industries because
       it is the largest purchaser of steel, copper, plastics, electronics, and
       computer chips.
    2. The U.S. auto industry provides pensions to seven hundred and
       seventy-five thousand Americans and health benefits to two million
       Americans.
    3. The U.S. auto industry supports approximately five million U.S. jobs in
       all fifty states.
    4. The U.S. auto industry has fourteen thousand dealers in nearly every town
       in America employing seven hundred thirty thousand people.

    Knowing this, if General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler were to go out of
    business in the next few months, how likely do you think this would be
    to trigger an economic depression in the U.S. -- extremely likely, very
    likely, somewhat likely, not likely, or not at all likely?

    Extremely likely               44       [162]
    Very likely                    32
    Somewhat likely                18
    Not likely                      4
    Not at all likely               1
      Not sure                      1

    13.  If you learned three to five years from now that America's
         automakers had successfully weathered the current economic
         challenges and emerged as leaders in the worldwide automobile
         industry, how important would that be to America -- extremely
         important, very important, somewhat important, not important,
         or not at all important?

         Extremely important            44       [163]
         Very important                 38
         Somewhat important             16
         Not important                   1
         Not at all important            -
           Not sure                      1

    14.  Which of the following types of vehicles, if any, do you or
         members of your household own or lease?

         A hybrid vehicle                              3            [164-165]
         A compact car                                25                 >
         A full-size passenger car                    22
         A mid-size passenger car                     31
         A station wagon                               4
         A minivan                                    16    CONTINUE
         A pick-up truck                              35
         A small SUV or crossover                      9
         A mid-size SUV or crossover                  16
         A large SUV                                  12
           Other (VOL)                                 5
           None/do not own or lease any vehicle (VOL)  3    Skip to
           Not sure                                    -    FACTUALS

(ASK RESPONDENTS WHO SAY THEY HAVE A VEHICLE IN Q.14.)

    15.  What brands of vehicles do members of your household own or lease?

    Acura                             1      [166-168]
    Audi                              1          >
    BMW                               2
    Buick                             5
    Cadillac                          3
    Chevrolet                        26
    Chrysler                         10
    Dodge                            11
    Ford                             32
    GM                                9
    Honda                            14
    Hyundai                           2
    Infiniti                          2
    Jaguar                            1
    Jeep                              4
    Lexus                             2
    Mazda                             4
    Mercedes Benz                     2
    Mitsubishi                        2
    Pontiac                           4
    Porsche                           -
    Saab                              -
    Saturn                            2
    Scion                             -
    Subaru                            3
    Toyota                           21
    Volkswagen                        3
    Nissan                            7
    Volvo                             1
    Kia                               1
    Oldsmobile                        2
    Mercury                           1
    Lincoln                           1
    Other                             3
      Not sure                        2

FACTUALS: Now I am going to ask you a few questions for statistical purposes only.

    F1.  What is the last grade that you completed in school?

    Grade school                             1     [176-177]
    Some high school                         5
    High school graduate                    24
    Some college, no degree                 17
    Vocational training, 2-year college      9
    4-year college/bachelor's degree        26
    Some postgraduate work, no degree        2
    2-3 years' postgraduate
     work/master's degree                   11
    Doctoral/law degree                      3
      Not sure/refused                       2

    F2.  Are you currently employed?  (IF CURRENTLY EMPLOYED:)  What type
         of work do you do?

         (IF NOT CURRENTLY EMPLOYED:) Are you a student, a homemaker,
         retired, or unemployed and looking for work?

         Currently Employed
         ------------------
           Professional/ manager         25     [178]
           White-collar worker           20
           Blue-collar worker            16
           Farmer, rancher                -
         Not Currently Employed
         ----------------------
           Student                        2
           Homemaker                      7
           Retired                       23
           Unemployed, looking for work   5
           Other                          -
           Not sure                       2

    F3a.  Are you registered to vote, or have you not had a chance to
          register?

          Registered                     91       [215]
          Not registered                  7
            Not sure                      2

    F3b.  Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a Democrat,
          a Republican, an independent, or something else? (IF "DEMOCRAT"
          OR "REPUBLICAN," ASK:) Would you call yourself a strong
          (Democrat/Republican) or not a very strong (Democrat/Republican)?
          (IF "INDEPENDENT," ASK:) Do you think of yourself as closer to the
          Republican Party, closer to the Democratic Party, or do you think
          of yourself as strictly independent?

          Strong Democrat                   28       [216]
          Not very strong Democrat           7
          Independent/lean Democrat          8
          Strictly independent              17
          Independent/lean Republican        6
          Not very strong Republican         8
          Strong Republican                 17
            Other (VOL)                      3
            Not sure                         6

    F4.  If you added together the yearly income of all the members of
         your family who were living at home last year, would the total be
         less than ten thousand dollars, between ten thousand dollars and
         twenty thousand dollars, between twenty thousand dollars and thirty
         thousand dollars, between thirty thousand dollars and forty thousand
         dollars, between forty thousand dollars and fifty thousand dollars,
         between fifty thousand dollars and seventy-five thousand dollars,
         between seventy-five thousand dollars and one hundred thousand
         dollars, between one hundred thousand dollars and one hundred and
         fifty thousand dollars, or would the total be more than that?

         Less than $10,000                     1     [217-218]
         Between $10,000 and $20,000           7
         Between $20,000 and $30,000           8
         Between $30,000 and $40,000           6
         Between $40,000 and $50,000           6
         Between $50,000 and $75,000          17
         Between $75,000 and $100,000         15
         Between $100,000 and $150,000        12
         More than $150,000                    8
           Not sure/refused                   20

November 2008 Poll On Americans' Views of the Auto Industry

The accompanying poll results are from a survey conducted by the polling organization of Peter D. Hart Research Associates for General Motors on November 11 and 12, 2008. The survey was conducted by telephone among a cross section of 804 American adults.

The national sample for this poll was drawn in the following manner: 350 geographic points were randomly selected proportionate to the population of each region and, within each region, by size of place. Individuals were selected in accordance with a probability sample design that gives all landline telephone numbers (both listed and unlisted) an equal chance to be included. One adult, 18 years old or over, from each household was included, selected by a systematic procedure to provide a balance of respondents by sex.

The data's margin of error is plus or minus 3.5 percentage points for 804 adults at the 95% confidence level. Sample tolerances for subgroups are larger.

SOURCE Peter D. Hart Research Associates