MIAMI, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Once again, major manufacturers are using
the South Florida International Auto Show to unveil their newest models. The
34th annual exhibition has a full schedule of news conferences on Media Day,
Friday, November 5, in the Miami Beach Convention Center. Pontiac will kick
things off with a 9:15 a.m. media breakfast featuring Latina racecar driver
Milka Duno.
    Ford will spotlight the all-new Mustang (along with its new Spanish-
language television commercial) and a 30th Anniversary edition of the Mercury
Grand Marquis. Our show will host the first-anywhere look at the 50th
Anniversary Thunderbird. And Ford will give South Florida its first look at
the new Mercury Montego and Ford Five Hundred sedans and the Escape Hybrid.
    Bentley will detail 2005 improvements to its popular Continental GT that
include voice activation for its telephone, which operates in six languages,
and the return of a Mulliner design influence to Bentley: two-toned leather
and wood inside, and new 20-inch alloy sports wheels outside.
    The Mercedes-Benz SLK for 2005 is slightly larger overall -- longer, wider
and taller. The retractable hardtop fits into a trunk with more space than
before. The CLS offers a sleek coupe with four doors and a 5-liter V-8. The
SLR McLaren has a V-8, too, but it's hand-built by AMG and delivers 617 h.p.
in this fast carbon-body touring car. Formula 1 features include shifter
paddles and huge 8-piston ceramic brakes. A high tech 5-speed automatic makes
it easy for anyone to just cruise to the mall.
    The all-new 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee is even more grand, with an elegant
new interior. And it's more maneuverable, with three full-time 4x4 systems, a
HEMI V-8 for the first time, and a longer, wider platform with new suspension
and steering systems. Jeep's mid-sized Liberty SUV gets an optional 2.8 liter
diesel engine that delivers the torque of a V-8, the performance of a V-6 and
the economy of a four.
    Ferrari/Maserati will spotlight a pair at both ends of the budget. The
updated versions of Maserati's Quattroporte start at under $100,000. Ferrari
has a new 612 Scaglietti sports coupe with an all-aluminum chassis and a V-12
engine for just above $250,000. It offers a stability/traction control system
and a specially tuned Bose sound system.
    Subaru will share information about a new 7-passenger "crossover utility
vehicle" it is developing and Nissan will highlight the distinctive 35th
Anniversary edition of its legendary Z car.
    Guest speaker for the annual media luncheon is Susan Docherty, new
divisional marketing general manager for Hummer. She previously helped launch
the Escalade as marketing director for Cadillac, managed marketing and
advertising for General Motors in Germany and Switzerland, and helped
establish franchises for Saturn, Saab, Isuzu and Geo.
    Concept cars always draw a crowd and Chrysler leads the pack this year
with two cars as different as can be. One offers three cylinders and 100
horsepower. The other hides a monster V-12 with 850 horses. The Dodge Sling
Shot is an affordable, practical car with a 5-speed gear box that delivers fun
and 45 mpg at the same time. Removable, storable roof panels make the Sling
Shot perfect for Florida open air driving. Chrysler's ME Four-Twelve is a mid-
engine brute with the svelte shape of a Formula 1 Euro-racer. The 6-liter
engine spins four turbo-chargers and roars this two-seater to 60 mph in 2.9
seconds. Other features are the real deal: a 7-speed Ricardo transmission,
paddle shifters, light weight carbon fiber body, huge brakes with 6-piston
calipers and computer-controlled downforce devices. A commuter car? If you
must, it's also at home on the highway.


                           SCHEDULE OF PRESS EVENTS
                           Friday, November 5, 2004


    EVENT                         LOCATION                       TIME

    GM                   Miami Beach Convention Center           9:15 a.m.
                               (Pontiac Display)
                         Milka Duno, Latina Race Car Driver

    FORD                 Miami Beach Convention Center           9:45 a.m.
                               (Ford Display)

    BENTLEY              Miami Beach Convention Center           10:30 a.m.
                               (Million Dollar Alley)

    MERCEDES-BENZ        Miami Beach Convention Center           11:15 a.m.
                               (Mercedes-Benz Display)

    PRESS LUNCHEON       Miami Beach Convention Center           Noon
                               (Mezzanine)
                         Susan E. Docherty, HUMMER

    SUBARU               Miami Beach Convention Center           1:15 p.m.
                               (Subaru Display)

    DAIMLER-CHRYSLER     Miami Beach Convention Center           1:45 p.m.
                               (Jeep Display)

    SOBRE RUEDAS         Miami Beach Convention Center           2:15 p.m.
                               (TBA)

    FERRARI MASERATI     Miami Beach Convention Center           2:45 p.m.
                               (Million Dollar Alley)

    NISSAN               Miami Beach Convention Center           3:15 p.m.
                               (Nissan Display)

    XM SATELLITE RADIO   Miami Beach Convention Center           4-5 p.m.
                               (Million Dollar Alley)

                               Press Reception

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