Local dealer reaches goal

[PARAGON]

<a href="http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050225/BIZ/502250348/1005">

<Table><FONT face=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica size=-2>February 25, 2005</FONT>


<FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size=3><FONT face=Arial,Helvetica
size=+1>Local dealer reaches goal</FONT>


<FONT face=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica size=-2>By Josee
Valcourt
</FONT><FONT face=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica size=-2>jvalcourt@clarionledger.com
</FONT>

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width=250 align=right border=0 hspace="10"
vspace="10">
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD width=10></TD>
<TD vAlign=top bgColor=#eeeeee><BR
clear=all>
<FONT
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=-2>Rick Guy/The
Clarion-Ledger</FONT>

<FONT face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica"
size=-2>Ron Sparnecht (driving) and Mike McCollum take a 2005 Hummer H2 SUV
around an obstacle course to demonstrate the vehicle's capabilities.Sparnecht
and McCollum are Rogers-Dabbs Hummer sales representatives.

</FONT>



<TABLE cellPadding=3>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD><FONT face=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica size=-2><FONT
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" color=#cc0000 size=-1>Hummer
sales</FONT>
<FONT face=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica size=-2>
Sales of the large SUV have experienced a
16.8% decline.

2003 — 35,259

2004 — 29,345

Source: General
Motors

</FONT></FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>As
the Rogers-Dabbs dealership erected a facility dedicated solely for Hummers,
sales of the brand cooled.

Approximately $3 million was invested in the
Quonset Hut-style building in Brandon complete with a gigantic H above the
entrance and a rugged test track to the rear. Construction of the facility took
10 months.

Mississippi's only Hummer dealer opened the facility in
December. But by that time, sales for the brand fell 16.8 percent to 29,345
units for the year compared to 2003 when 35,259 sold.


Tight competition in the full-size sport utility vehicle segment and demand
that has waned since the product launched in 2002 are culprits. GM bought the
make from AM General — a military contractor— around 2000.

"It doesn't
have the same sort of excitement today as when the brand was first launched,"
said Joe Barker, manager of North American automotive sales for Farmington
Hills, Mich.-based CSM Worldwide Inc.


When introduced, even California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had to have
one.

But sales manager Michael Wallis doesn't look worried.

For a
market of its size — smaller in comparison to Texas or Wisconsin — business in
Brandon has been good.



<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width=250 align=right border=0 hspace="10"
vspace="10">
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD width=10></TD>
<TD vAlign=top bgColor=#eeeeee><BR
clear=all>
<FONT
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=-2>Rick Guy/The
Clarion-Ledger</FONT>

<FONT face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica"
size=-2>Michael Wallis with Rogers-Dabbs Hummer stands with one of the 2005
Hummer H2 SUT's at the dealership on W. Government Street in Brandon. The SUT
differs from the SUV in that it has a small, configurable utility bed in the
rear.

</FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The dealership has hit its average
monthly sales goal of between 10 to 15 units and the new H3 that will become
available in May could generate new interest.

Mostly H2 and the H2 SUT, a
pickup version, have sold at the dealership. Rogers-Dabbs began selling Hummer
vehicles in July 2002.


The retailer, which reaches consumers as far as north Mississippi, is
expected to receive an average 22 H3s monthly or about 135 this
year.

Ridgeland resident Michael Rodgers, who purchased an H2 for his
wife for safety reasons, would consider buying another Hummer. He said although
he isn't in the market for a new car, he would consider the H3.

"With a
base price of $29,000, the product opens the door to a whole new group of
consumers," Wallis said. "It still has the same off-road capability that the H2
has."


Wallis' opinion isn't atypical.

The new product's lower sticker price
will widen the brand's market, Barker said. Cost for the gargantuan H1 hovers at
about $100,000 and the slightly shrunken H2 is priced at nearly $60,000.


"It definitely will bolster sales for the Hummer brand," he said.

Said
Susan Docherty, Hummer marketing general manager: "We think we're going to end
up with customers in their 20s." The average age of a driver of the luxury brand
is 40.

Docherty, who is based in Detroit, doesn't expect the median age
to get any younger.


Production of the H3 will begin in April at GM's Shreveport, La., plant and
this year's sales goal is 35,000.

"The H3 is where we are going to have
our biggest success," said John Bergstrom, who owns a Hummer dealership in
Milwaukee and the first building in the country to sport the military design in
2002.


He attributes the achievement of his operation to a vehicle that attracts
customers with a recreational penchant. Thirty-five percent of Hummer buyers are
women, he said.

To further help retailers make sales without slapping
incentives on the luxury line, sales promotions such as one that offers a $3,000
chrome accessory package for a discount have been implemented.

"It's
added some bling-bling," Docherty said.


A new promotion offers a $1,500 bonus program for Hummers equipped with
sunroof, a navigation system and XM satellite radio. In addition, any Hummer
driver will earn two years worth of free XM satellite radio.

"Hummer
customers love their tunes and they love the chrome on their vehicles," she
said.


In January, GM reported 1,864 Hummers sold compared with 1,927 the same
period a year ago.

To carry the momentum forward, there are plans to
install a 6.6-liter turbo diesel Alpha Duramax engine into the H1, which will be
quieter with improved fuel efficiency.

Hummers also are bound for
overseas markets including the Middle East.


"We're going to triple our volume over 12 to 18 months and get ready to grow
globally," said Docherty.

"We think there's lots of segments within the
truck market that Hummer can occupy but only if unparallel, off-road capability
is a requirement," she said.</P></FONT></Table>

[PARAGON]

<a href="http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050225/BIZ/502250348/1005">

<Table><FONT face=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica size=-2>February 25, 2005</FONT>


<FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size=3><FONT face=Arial,Helvetica
size=+1>Local dealer reaches goal</FONT>


<FONT face=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica size=-2>By Josee
Valcourt
</FONT><FONT face=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica size=-2>jvalcourt@clarionledger.com
</FONT>

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width=250 align=right border=0 hspace="10"
vspace="10">
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD width=10></TD>
<TD vAlign=top bgColor=#eeeeee><BR
clear=all>
<FONT
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=-2>Rick Guy/The
Clarion-Ledger</FONT>

<FONT face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica"
size=-2>Ron Sparnecht (driving) and Mike McCollum take a 2005 Hummer H2 SUV
around an obstacle course to demonstrate the vehicle's capabilities.Sparnecht
and McCollum are Rogers-Dabbs Hummer sales representatives.

</FONT>



<TABLE cellPadding=3>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD><FONT face=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica size=-2><FONT
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" color=#cc0000 size=-1>Hummer
sales</FONT>
<FONT face=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica size=-2>
Sales of the large SUV have experienced a
16.8% decline.

2003 — 35,259

2004 — 29,345

Source: General
Motors

</FONT></FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>As
the Rogers-Dabbs dealership erected a facility dedicated solely for Hummers,
sales of the brand cooled.

Approximately $3 million was invested in the
Quonset Hut-style building in Brandon complete with a gigantic H above the
entrance and a rugged test track to the rear. Construction of the facility took
10 months.

Mississippi's only Hummer dealer opened the facility in
December. But by that time, sales for the brand fell 16.8 percent to 29,345
units for the year compared to 2003 when 35,259 sold.


Tight competition in the full-size sport utility vehicle segment and demand
that has waned since the product launched in 2002 are culprits. GM bought the
make from AM General — a military contractor— around 2000.

"It doesn't
have the same sort of excitement today as when the brand was first launched,"
said Joe Barker, manager of North American automotive sales for Farmington
Hills, Mich.-based CSM Worldwide Inc.


When introduced, even California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had to have
one.

But sales manager Michael Wallis doesn't look worried.

For a
market of its size — smaller in comparison to Texas or Wisconsin — business in
Brandon has been good.



<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width=250 align=right border=0 hspace="10"
vspace="10">
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD width=10></TD>
<TD vAlign=top bgColor=#eeeeee><BR
clear=all>
<FONT
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=-2>Rick Guy/The
Clarion-Ledger</FONT>

<FONT face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica"
size=-2>Michael Wallis with Rogers-Dabbs Hummer stands with one of the 2005
Hummer H2 SUT's at the dealership on W. Government Street in Brandon. The SUT
differs from the SUV in that it has a small, configurable utility bed in the
rear.

</FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The dealership has hit its average
monthly sales goal of between 10 to 15 units and the new H3 that will become
available in May could generate new interest.

Mostly H2 and the H2 SUT, a
pickup version, have sold at the dealership. Rogers-Dabbs began selling Hummer
vehicles in July 2002.


The retailer, which reaches consumers as far as north Mississippi, is
expected to receive an average 22 H3s monthly or about 135 this
year.

Ridgeland resident Michael Rodgers, who purchased an H2 for his
wife for safety reasons, would consider buying another Hummer. He said although
he isn't in the market for a new car, he would consider the H3.

"With a
base price of $29,000, the product opens the door to a whole new group of
consumers," Wallis said. "It still has the same off-road capability that the H2
has."


Wallis' opinion isn't atypical.

The new product's lower sticker price
will widen the brand's market, Barker said. Cost for the gargantuan H1 hovers at
about $100,000 and the slightly shrunken H2 is priced at nearly $60,000.


"It definitely will bolster sales for the Hummer brand," he said.

Said
Susan Docherty, Hummer marketing general manager: "We think we're going to end
up with customers in their 20s." The average age of a driver of the luxury brand
is 40.

Docherty, who is based in Detroit, doesn't expect the median age
to get any younger.


Production of the H3 will begin in April at GM's Shreveport, La., plant and
this year's sales goal is 35,000.

"The H3 is where we are going to have
our biggest success," said John Bergstrom, who owns a Hummer dealership in
Milwaukee and the first building in the country to sport the military design in
2002.


He attributes the achievement of his operation to a vehicle that attracts
customers with a recreational penchant. Thirty-five percent of Hummer buyers are
women, he said.

To further help retailers make sales without slapping
incentives on the luxury line, sales promotions such as one that offers a $3,000
chrome accessory package for a discount have been implemented.

"It's
added some bling-bling," Docherty said.


A new promotion offers a $1,500 bonus program for Hummers equipped with
sunroof, a navigation system and XM satellite radio. In addition, any Hummer
driver will earn two years worth of free XM satellite radio.

"Hummer
customers love their tunes and they love the chrome on their vehicles," she
said.


In January, GM reported 1,864 Hummers sold compared with 1,927 the same
period a year ago.

To carry the momentum forward, there are plans to
install a 6.6-liter turbo diesel Alpha Duramax engine into the H1, which will be
quieter with improved fuel efficiency.

Hummers also are bound for
overseas markets including the Middle East.


"We're going to triple our volume over 12 to 18 months and get ready to grow
globally," said Docherty.

"We think there's lots of segments within the
truck market that Hummer can occupy but only if unparallel, off-road capability
is a requirement," she said.</P></FONT></Table>

[SOCRATES]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">"Hummer customers love their tunes and they love the chrome on their vehicles," she said. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Ha, ha, ha - chrome ....