American Isuzu Motors Inc.'s Internet Naming Contest First Five Days a Smashing Success; ``Isuzu Ultimate Naming Challenge'' ``Nets'' 6907 Name Suggestions in 148.5 Hours.

CERRITOS, Calif.--(AutomotiveWire)--Nov. 24, 1999--

When American Isuzu Motors Inc. (AIMI) decided to put the future of its next SUV concept into the cyber-hands of American automotive enthusiasts, the outcome was uncertain.

"We had to wonder, would net-savvy automotive enthusiasts respond? And to what degree? If we build it (Web site), would they come?" said Bob Reilly, AIMI's senior vice president, chief operating officer, SUV.

After just five days, what appears to be the automotive industry's first Internet-driven concept-vehicle naming contest, is a huge success.

"The response volume ramped up quicker than we anticipated, putting us way ahead of our projections. We're all inspired by this response. It certainly says something about the caliber of those interested in Isuzu product," said Reilly.

Called the "Isuzu Ultimate Naming Challenge", the Web-site-oriented competition asks contestants to visit the Isuzu Web site and suggest names for the firm's newest concept -- which shows one possible future evolution of the SUV.

AIMI generally hosts more than 350,000 visitors to its Web site each month. The contest began Nov. 17, 1999, at noon PST and ends Dec. 15, 1999. The winning name will be announced next year and the grand prize will be a new Isuzu SUV -- winner's choice.

Contest entries must be made by a valid e-mail account and entrants must be more than 18 years of age. Competitors will be asked to comply with specific contest rules as outlined on the Web site. Once at the Isuzu site, registrants can view representations of AIMI's newest concept vehicle and learn of its development history, equipment and projected market segment. Multiple entries will be accepted and there's no restriction on creativity, other than good taste.

Presented at the 1999 Tokyo Motor Show, this new Isuzu SUV concept serves as the inspiration for the future SUVs to be sold in the United States. This concept Isuzu vehicle, designed to meet the multi-functional needs of American SUV drivers of the new century, is powered by a 3.5 liter 24-valve DOHC V6 engine and equipped with Isuzu's respected Torque-on-Demand(R) traction system.

But these and other technical features pale, when compared to the concept's spectacular exterior design and interior architecture which already has the automotive experts buzzing.

"Isuzu designers explained the concept as the next iteration of our sport-utility heritage. We prefer to think of it, as the forerunner of an entirely new SUV genre. Likewise, we see our Internet naming contest as the forerunner of an entirely new automotive marketing genre and another expression of Isuzu's 'Go Farther' approach to the market," added Reilly.

For comprehensive contest details, visit: isuzu.com.

American Isuzu Motors Inc. is the U.S. distributor of Isuzu sport utility vehicles, commercial vehicles and diesel engines. For more information, call 800/662-2464 or point your browser to www.isuzu.com on the World Wide Web.