Members of the California Legislature and the Governor's Office met today with representatives of several international automakers to discuss new environmentally friendly vehicle technologies. The Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM)* and its member companies visited the state Capitol in a day-long effort to highlight the contributions of the international automobile industry to the California economy and to demonstrate their leadership in the area of advanced technology vehicles.

In California, AIAM members directly employ over 22,000 people and operate 75 separate facilities, including seven headquarters offices, nine R&D centers, and nine financial service operations. AIAM members also account for approximately 40 percent of the 1.4 million passenger cars and light trucks sold annually in the state.

"Our theme today is 'California Constituents -- Technology Leaders: The Companies of AIAM'," said Paul D. Ryan, AIAM's director of government affairs. "AIAM members have a significant presence in California. We wanted to share information about our presence and the work being done to bring advanced technology vehicles to the marketplace."

Throughout the day, AIAM and its member companies visited state lawmakers to talk about their impact on California's economy as well as types of advanced technologies currently in auto showrooms and under development. Several gasoline-electric hybrid, natural gas, and fuel cell vehicles -- all manufactured by AIAM members -- were available for lawmakers and their staff to 'test-drive' around the Capitol. Currently, California leads the country in hybrid vehicle purchases, accounting for 30 percent of all sales nationwide.

* AIAM is a trade association representing 14 international motor vehicle manufacturers who account for 40 percent of all passenger cars and 20 percent of all light trucks sold annually in the United States. AIAM members have invested nearly $28 billion in U.S.-based production facilities, have a combined domestic production capacity of 3.4 million vehicles, directly employ 93,000 Americans, and generate well over 1 million U.S. jobs in dealerships and supplier industries nationwide. AIAM members include Aston Martin, Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Kia, Maserati, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota. AIAM also represents original equipment suppliers and other automotive-related trade associations.

CONTACT: Paul D. Ryan of Association of International Automobile Manufacturers, +1-703-247-2103, or +1-202-246-7353

Source: Association of International Automobile Manufacturers