Company Announces National 'Driver Friendly' Commitment Just in Time
                         For the Summer Drive Season

    HOUSTON, May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Attention weary parents seeking relief
from rapid-fire "are we there yets" from the backseat:  Exxon has arrived with
a welcome roadside refuge. Just in time for the start of the summer driving
season, Exxon Company USA announced today its new multi-million dollar "Driver
Friendly" commitment aimed at fulfilling motorists' yearn for the comforts of
home while vacation-bound.
    After researching driver preferences and behavior as well as evaluating
its locations nationwide, Exxon will implement several changes to help
motorists better cope with life between points A and B.  Depending on the
location, the new amenities may include:  gourmet coffees and coffee drinks;
waterless hand soap and music at the pumps, fresh fruit and baked goods
sections; easy access to detailed area maps; and cleaner, parent-friendly
restrooms.
    "Exxon's goal is to dramatically improve the driving experience," said Jim
Carter, Exxon Company USAs vice president for marketing.  "Our research on
drivers' behavior shows that they like life in the car, but they hate life on
the road.  Drivers don't want to stop.  They just want to get where they're
going, especially when they're on summer vacation."
    The company is implementing its Driver Friendly program over the next two
years at participating locations throughout its retail chain.  Exxon's retail
chain includes more than 2,000 Exxon-owned stores and another
6,500 independent Exxon distributor locations nationwide.
    "Exxon wants to make the driver's journey -- whether to Disneyworld,
Graceland or grandma's -- more pleasant by helping travelers get the most out
of stops they make for essentials, such as gas and restrooms or comfort goods,
such as food and beverages," said Carter.
    Exxon's research into driver and passenger preferences found that most
people listen to music while driving, drink soft drinks or coffee, eat snacks
or meals in the car and stop en route to use the restroom.  In addition, many
drivers stop to buy groceries, purchase food to eat in the car and ask for
directions.
    These and other facts about driver behavior prompted Exxon to evaluate its
marketing practices and implement the following changes (depending on
location) to better meet the changing needs and expectations of our nation's
drivers:

    -- A KINDER, GENTLER PIT STOP -- Drivers will find waterless hand soap at
       the gasoline pumps to remove the fuel odor and any dirt from their
       hands.  Women and men alike will find clean, well-stocked restrooms
       with baby diaper changing stations, automatic fixtures and a "restroom
       needs attention" light to signal station personnel when the restroom
       needs cleaning or restocking.
       Customers also will be able to tune out highway and city street noise
       with relaxing music "piped in" at the pump to preserve the "bubble"
       atmosphere of the car interior.  Seasonal landscaping or potted plants
       will enhance the view for both passersby and customers.

    -- GETTING THERE -- Outside the store, large reader-friendly posters will
       display a map of the surrounding area, pinpointing the driver's exact
       location and showing major freeways and roads.  Inside, drivers can
       obtain free, take-away maps of the surrounding area.

    -- HAVE YOUR COFFEE AND DRINK IT TOO -- To meet travelers' demands for
       more than just gasoline, inside, drivers and their passengers may
       encounter Exxon's Bengal Trader gourmet coffee or cappuccino, carts of
       fresh fruit, trays of fresh bakery goods and a selection of deli food.
       Bengal Trader coffee products are served in insulated, spill-resistant
       drink cups designed especially to fit most cars' built-in cup holders.
       (As an alternative to soft drinks, in many southern markets consumers
       will be able to purchase Wild Tiger branded spill-free bottled water,
       iced tea, lemon iced tea, lemonade and fruit punch.  A portion of the
       proceeds will be donated to Exxon's Save The Tiger Fund.)

    Exxon Company USA, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is the domestic oil
and gas division of Exxon Corporation, located in Irving, Texas.

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