GM Increases Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts

[Guest Josh]

DETROIT - GM efforts to provide relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina are widespread and comprehensive. The GM family is deploying a number of resources to help victims of the devastating storm, and as needs are identified, actions and initiatives are expanding rapidly. Updates will be provided regularly on GM's media website (http://media.gm.com). Relief efforts by GM, the GM Foundation, and GMAC include the following:

Cash & Pledges

- GM has increased its total pledge to the American Red Cross to at least $1 million. This includes an immediate cash donation from the GM Foundation and GMAC, employee donations and GM Foundation matching funds--which no longer have a total dollar limit.

- Contributions and pledges from other parts of the GM family add to this total: GMAC-Residential Funding Corp., for example, has pledged up to $1 million to various FEMA-approved agencies.

Vehicles and other Products

- GM is making available up to 200 vehicles - including HUMMERS, full-size SUVs, trucks and vans - for use by the American Red Cross and other agencies in relief efforts throughout impacted areas. Estimated value of these vehicles is $6 million.

- Three GM Allison hybrid buses are at work in Houston, TX, shuttling evacuees and assisting with relief efforts.

Services

- OnStar extended its full range of services to all subscribers in eight affected states including the disaster sites as well as evacuee locations.

- OnStar is also activating its service in vehicles used by the Red Cross.

Plant activities

- Cash collections at GM facilities throughout the U.S. are being conducted daily. In less than one week, employee collections at GM's facility in Shreveport, Louisiana, generated $35,000. These funds will also be matched by the GM Foundation.

- GM Shreveport Operations, with the support of other nearby plants, continues its drive to collect bedding and shelter supplies for local Red Cross shelters housing the thousands of evacuees in Shreveport. To date, more than 3000 cots, air mattresses, blankets and pillows have been distributed through the local Red Cross.

Many GM plants are conducting blood drives through their local Red Cross chapters.

GMAC

- GMAC continues to work with its automotive financing, insurance and mortgage customers on a case-by-case basis. The GMAC family of financial services has created specialized call centers, increased field staffing, extended service center hours and developed employee participation programs to reach those affected.

- Customers should contact customer service: GMAC Insurance: Personal Lines (Vehicle Insurance) 800-468-3466 MIC (GM Protection Plan) 800-631-5590; GMAC Mortgage 800-766-4622; GMAC Auto Financing 800-200-4622) or their branch offices where possible.

The GM Foundation was established in 1976 to support the philanthropic interests and business priorities of General Motors Corporation. In 2004, worldwide contributions by GM and the GM Foundation totaled $68 million.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader since 1931. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 317,000 people around the world. It has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 200 countries. In 2004, GM sold nearly 9 million cars and trucks globally, up 4 percent and the second-highest total in the company's history. GM's global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

[I hope GMRULES again]

Instead of loaning them GM should just give the Red Cross the 200 vehicles. They could call it the GM Red Cross discount for everyone.