Camaro/Firebird on hiatus after 2002 model year
GM Celebrates Muscle Cars? Last Year of Production, Closes Ste. Therese Facility

DETROIT, September 25, 2001 ? General Motors Corporation today announced that
2002 will be the last model year for the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird.
The Ste. Thérèse, Quebec plant where the vehicles are produced will close in the
fall of 2002.

According to John G. Middlebrook, GM vice president and general manager vehicle
brand marketing & corporate advertising, the combination of significantly
reduced demand in the regular sport segment ? which has decreased by 53 percent
from 1990 to 2000, due in large part to the increasing popularity of trucks ?
along with the substantial excess manufacturing capacity in the industry made
this decision unavoidable.

Middlebrook said GM is celebrating both cars? significance as American musclecar
icons in 2002.

?The Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird have truly become an integral part of
American culture over the years,? said Middlebrook. ?We appreciate the strong
emotions that our customers have for these cars and we?re pleased to be
celebrating them with a 35th Anniversary Edition Camaro and a Collector Edition
Firebird Trans Am special edition models.?

Although Camaro and Firebird have always had focused appeal, both Chevy and
Pontiac will continue the tradition of providing performance vehicles with high
value. Next year, Chevy will introduce the SSR. Pontiac will also continue to
offer excitement with performance powertrains, including the supercharged Grand
Prix GTP and Bonneville SSEi and the forthcoming Vibe GT.

GM will continue to support the millions of Camaro and Firebird/Trans Am owners
with replacement parts, reproduction parts, accessories and technical support
through its Service Parts Organization.

General Motors of Canada Limited president and general manager, Maureen Kempston
Darkes said, ?Closing the Ste. Thérèse Plant is an extremely painful and
difficult decision. GM has worked very hard to identify a new product or other
alternative to continue manufacturing at Ste. Thérèse. However, despite several
years of intensive work, we have been unable to identify any viable
alternatives.

?We are committed to ensuring as smooth a transition as possible for our people.
Almost all of the 1,065 employees currently on-roll at Ste. Thérèse are now
eligible for retirement or will become eligible within the next few years. In
addition, virtually all of the 380 employees currently on lay-off will similarly
be eligible for retirement. The GM of Canada benefit package is extensive, with
income continuation for up to three years for affected employees. We are
committed to working closely with the CAW and the Quebec and federal Governments
to put in place retraining and other transition assistance programs for those
that want to continue their working careers.?

The Ste. Thérèse, Quebec plant opened in 1965. Over the years, it has produced
a variety of car models, including the Chevrolet Monza, Pontiac Grand Prix and
Chevrolet Celebrity. It has been the sole producer of the Chevrolet Camaro and
Pontiac Firebird models since 1993. The plant currently operates on one shift.

We knew, unofficially, that the F-body was in its last model year, and with the economic concerns for the future, and the logistical challenges St. Therese provided, the plant closure does not come as a total surprise.

With the addtion going on the the Bowling Green Plant to provide capacity for the Cadillac XLR and the new plant coming up for the Sigma flatform, I am very hopeful that GM will soon have a great bang for the buck RWD V8 for us.

Notice the careful wording
"Camaro/Firebird on hiatus after 2002 model year"

Camaro/Firebird on Hiatus After 2002 Model Year