8.17.2004 ET

(CSRwire) DETROIT -- General Motors and the General Motors Foundation today announced the contribution of $100,000, three HUMMER vehicles, and five generator-equipped Chevrolet Silverado hybrid pickup trucks to the American Red Cross to support victims of the current hurricane season.

The GM Foundation will initially donate $100,000 in cash and three HUMMER H2 SUVs to help the Red Cross meet the immediate needs of those who were hardest hit by the destruction of Hurricanes Bonnie and Charley. The GM Foundation also has pledged to match up to $100,000 in GM employee contributions to the American Red Cross for the relief of hurricane victims.

The hybrid pickups are equipped with four 120-volt power outlets - capable of running power tools and appliances directly from the vehicle. The generating capability and the vehicles' refuse-hauling capacity in the pickup box make the trucks well-suited for the clean-up efforts in the affected areas.

"Hurricanes Bonnie and Charley have dealt a tragic blow to the residents of southwest and central Florida and other coastal areas," said Rod Gillum, GM Foundation chairman and GM vice president for Corporate Responsibility and Diversity. "The GM Foundation, General Motors Corporation and GM employees welcome the opportunity to help the American Red Cross ease, as much as possible, the burden these residents face."

In addition to GM's monetary support and donation of vehicles, General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) Financial Services Group is reviewing the status of its customers who lost their homes, vehicles or suffered significant property damage during the recent hurricanes, and will assist its customers on a case-by-case basis.

"The entire General Motors family - employees, dealers and suppliers - takes pride in our long-standing commitment to offer help to communities when disaster strikes," Gillum said. "We view our community relationships as partnerships with our friends and neighbors, and we are pleased to be there when our help is needed most."

More information on the GM Foundation can be found on the General Motors corporate website at www.gmability.com.

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