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SPORTRACK AUTOMOTIVE SHOWCASES INNOVATIVE ACCESSORY DESIGNS AT SEMA 2002

STERLING HEIGHTS, MI - SportRack Automotive (SRA) will be introducing the inclusion of several new versatile accessory items into its already diverse line of multi-sport lifestyle accessory products at the SEMA 2002 Show in Las Vegas November 5-8. These products, which will be manufactured at the SportRack Accessories facility in Granby, Quebec, include some that have been developed internally at SportRack and several which have been acquired through an agreement process with two highly-respected suppliers.

Two of these innovative developments were acquired in an agreement with Let's Go Aero-the Twin-Tube™ and Smart-Pack™ (formerly identified as Triple-Play™). "SportRack is in a continual search to add products to our line that enhance consumer satisfaction. Both of these products will add significantly to the ease of transporting cargo (from bikes to camping gear) to new destinations," said Richard Borghi, president and COO of SportRack Automotive.

The Twin-Tube provides a receiver-mounted carrier frame and spine system which easily accommodates the mounting of a variety of accessory attachments-thus eliminating the need for installing separate mounting hardware each time the need for a different type of carrier arises. One such carrier is the Smart-Pack, which can be used as a platform base, a bicycle carrier, or an enclosed cargo-carrying space. The Smart-Pack attaches to the hitch system to offer an option for carrying bicycles or bulky items that do not fit into the vehicle's available interior space or into a more traditional cargo box carrier. SportRack Automotive now holds exclusive OEM and aftermarket rights to the Twin-Tube and has exclusive OEM rights to the Smart-Pack technology.

Another exciting product being displayed in the SportRack booth at SEMA this year is the Flip-Step™, an invention of Nu-Tec Designs, LLC. SportRack Automotive has secured exclusive rights to manufacture and distribute this product in a recent agreement with Nu-Tec Designs. "Mounted to the vehicle's hitch system, the Flip-Step provides a practical solution to the issue of reaching items mounted on a vehicle's roof rack or within its truck bed or rear storage area," Borghi states.

The Flip-Step is available in three sizes depending upon vehicle, and in addition to the actual step, each Flip-Step is equipped with a third LED brake light and running light. Installation is designed to be consumer friendly, with the step sliding onto the hitch receiver and a plug which fits into the existing trailer wiring to connect the lighting features.

Other products being featured at SEMA 2002 include the 2EZ and 4EZ Bike Rack™, a new Upright Mount Bicycle Carrier, a Fork Mount Bicycle Carrier, the 2600 Series Roof Box which comes four models for varying cargo needs, and the A25300 Roof Box which is UPS-able and utilizes accessory wheels to enhance its ease of transport.

Visit SportRack Automotive at Booth #20311 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Knowledgeable staff will be on hand to assist you in exploring these innovative accessories as well as other existing items in the SportRack product line.

SportRack Automotive is a world leader in the supply of roof rack systems and lifestyle accessory products to the automotive OEM and aftermarket. SRA has corporate offices in Sterling Heights, MI, with North American manufacturing operations in Port Huron, Shelby Township, and Sterling Heights, MI; Williston, VT; Hamer Bay, Ontario; and Granby, Quebec. SRA's European operations are headquartered in Sandhausen, Germany, and include manufacturing facilities in Bakov, Czech Republic and Barcelona, Spain.

SPORTRACK AUTOMOTIVE GIVES HITCH ACCESSORIES A STEP UP

STERLING HEIGHTS, MI - SportRack Automotive, a leading supplier of innovative automotive exterior accessories has secured exclusive rights to manufacture and distribute one of this year's most acclaimed auto accessories, the Flip-Stepä, a patent pending third LED brake light, running light and hitch receiver step combination. Selected by Motor Trend's Truck Trend Magazine as one of the top 30 new product introductions at SEMA '01, the Flip-Stepä adds safety, functionality and style to any vehicle with a hitch receiver.

"With the popularity of vehicle roof top storage systems and step bumpers getting higher and higher off the ground, the Flip-Stepä provides a well-thought-out solution to a common problem. SportRack is committed to providing high quality and innovative solutions for the automotive OEM and aftermarket, and the Flip-Stepä is an ideal fit into our line of products," said SportRack President and COO Richard Borghi.

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"What sets this product apart from other hitch steps is the quality and exacting engineering standards with which it is made," said inventor Bill Schlicht of Nu-Tec Designs, LLC. "The quality, ease of use, and brightness of the lights was beyond what I expected" added customer Julie Grizzle. Made of high quality cast aluminum and designed to be a strong and secure platform from which to access the truck bed or roof rack, the steps are available in either a black powder coat wrinkle finish or chrome finish. The steps are conservatively rated at 300 pounds for the SUV step and 500 pounds for the MAX and TRK steps.

SportRack Automotive (SRA) is a world leader in the supply of roof rack systems and lifestyle accessory products to the automotive OEM and aftermarket. SRA has corporate offices in Sterling Heights, Mich., with North American manufacturing operations in Port Huron, Shelby Township, and Sterling Heights, Mich.; Williston, Vt.; Hamer Bay, Ontario; and Granby, Quebec. SRA's European operations are headquartered in Sandhausen, Germany, and include manufacturing facilities in Bakov, Czech Republic and Barcelona, Spain.

Further information on the Flip-Stepä can be found at www.flip-step.com or www.sportrack.com; by contacting Nu-Tec Designs, LLC at 425.898.0995 or SportRack Accessories at 800-561-0716; or by e-mail at or . Photos available.

LET'S GO AERO PARTNERS WITH ADVANCED ACCESSORY SYSTEMS

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - Let's Go Aero (LGA), manufacturer of hitch-based cargo carrier solutions for the automotive and RV industries, has signed a licensing agreement with Advanced Accessory Systems (AAS), a Sterling Heights, Michigan-based manufacturer of towing and roof rack systems. Under terms of the deal, AAS will acquire exclusive production and distribution rights for LGA's Twin-Tube™, Silent Hitch Pin™ and Triple-Play™ technology.

AAS is a world-leading supplier of towing and roof rack equipment and accessories. The company will market LGA's products through its three divisions: SportRack Automotive, Valley Industries LLC and Valley Automotive. All three LGA products have been licensed exclusively for the OEM automotive channel. The Silent Hitch Pin and Twin-Tube systems are also licensed for automotive aftermarket channels.

"The LGA and AAS partnership will ultimately benefit the towing accessories market in new ways," said Marty Williams, LGA chairman. "Our companies will be working together to create an industry standard in hitch mounting hardware and receiver equipment."

LGA's patent-pending Twin-Tube system is a receiver mounted carrier frame and spine system. The Twin-Tube system, which the company hopes will become a standardized industry platform, would make many towing and hitch-related accessories easily adaptable to a single bracket system.

"This system, as a universal application, would allow you to outfit your SUV with a toolbox one minute and a bike carrier the next without the aggravation of changing the mounting hardware," added Williams. "The Twin-Tube makes it quick and simple to go from work to play in no time."

AAS and LGA also offers open licensing agreements, including wholesale and private labeling opportunities, to other companies interested in creating an industry standardized platform for mounting hardware.

"We're very pleased to have LGA onboard," said Donna M. Wollen, manager of corporate communications, AAS. "Their technology and our manufacturing and distribution capabilities are a good fit. The end result will be a useful, cost-effective product line."

In addition to the Twin-Tube system, AAS will aggressively market the LGA Silent Hitch Pin and Triple-Play systems. The Silent Hitch Pin is a revolutionary, anti-vibration device that takes the annoying thunk and clunk out of your ball mount when pulling a trailer or other accessory. It utilizes a spring-backed 5/8ths-inch nut that is inserted inside the ball mount and aligned with the ball mount's pinhole.

The ball mount is then inserted into the receiver, and when the threaded Silent Hitch Pin engages the spring nut, the ball mount is squeezed against the receiver wall. Additionally, the Silent Hitch Pin has a grooved end that accommodates most existing ball mount locks.

Triple-Play is the most versatile and practical platform carrier system available: it's an open platform carrier, a bicycle carrier and an enclosed carrier - all in one.

The Triple-Play can carry up to four bicycles, and the platform accepts many manufacturer's rooftop bicycle, ski and snowboard mounts and hardware. Its heavy-duty tray design protects gear from road debris and water spray.

Let's Go Aero is the leader in new, innovative rear cargo carrier solutions for the automotive and RV industries, specializing in aerodynamic carrier solutions for recreational equipment transport, general travel and commercial trade uses. The family of products uses a patented clamshell opening design, including the Herman line of Sport Performance Trailersâ, and the Remora line of hitch-mount cargo carriers.
For more information, visit the Let's Go Aero website at www.letsgoaero.com, contact company headquarters at (719) 630-3800 or write to Let's Go Aero, 3116 Century St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80907.

Hot off the Press! InRoads, the Advanced Accessory Systems quarterly corporate newsletter, is in distribution. In the latest issue you'll find news of our receipt of prestigious DCX and KIA customer awards; our roof racks atop both Motor Trend's SUV of the Year, the GMC Envoy, and Truck of the Year, the Chevrolet Avalanche; expansion of our manufacturing plant in the Czech Republic and the opening of a new one in Sterling Heights, Michigan; the award of a new running board program; SEMA and Interbike trade show successes; and new product showcased including hitches, brake controls, and bike racks.


For more information regarding this news item, please visit the InRoads tab of our Press Room, Fourth Quarter 2001.

Valley Industries Relocates Its Midwest Distribution Center. In an answer to continued growth and the streamlining of customer delivery expectations, the Midwest distribution center has relocated to the central Ohio area. The new facility in Grove City, OH, consists of 70,000 sq ft of warehouse space with 8 shipping docks. In addition to the new Midwest Distribution Center, Valley operates warehouses in Lodi, CA, and Dallas, TX. We also utilize three fee warehouses in Toronto, Ontario; Albany, NY, and Orlando, FL.


For more information regarding this news item, please visit the InRoads tab of our Press Room, Fourth Quarter 2001.

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