[Rick Parker]

An interesting commentary: 'CNN Headline News did a short news listing regarding Ford and GM's
contributions to the relief and recovery efforts in New York and Washington.


The findings are as follows.....

1. Ford- $1 million to American Red Cross matching employee contributions of
the same number plus 10 Excursions to NY Fire Dept. The company also offered
ER response team services and office space to displaced government
employees.

2. GM- $1 million to American Red Cross matching employee contributions of
the same number and a fleet of vans, suv's, and trucks.

3. Daimler Chrysler- $10 million to support of the children and victims of
the Sept. 11 attack.


4. Harley Davidson motorcycles - $1 million and 30 new motorcycles to the
New York Police Dept.

5. Volkswagen-Employees and management created a Sept 11 Foundation, funded
initial with $2million, for the assistance of the children and victims of
the WTC.

6. Hyundai- $300,000 to the American Red Cross.

7. Audi-Nothing.

8. BMW-Nothing.

9. Daewoo- Nothing.

10. Fiat-Nothing.

11. Honda - Nothing despite boasting of second best sales month ever in August 2001.
12. Isuzu- Nothing.
13. Mitsubishi-Nothing.

14. Nissan-Nothing.

15. Porsche-Nothing. Press release with condolences via the Porsche website.


16. Subaru- Nothing.

17. Suzuki- Nothing.

18. Toyota-Nothing despite claims of high sales in July and August 2001.
Condolences posted on the website.

Whenever the time may be for you to purchase or lease a new vehicle, keep
this infor mation in mind. You might want to give more consideration to a car
manufactured by an American-owned and / or American based company. Apart
from Hyundai and Volkswagen, the foreign car
companies contributed nothing at all to the citizens of the United States.

It's OK for these companies to take money out of this country, but it is
apparently not acceptable to return some in a time of crisis. I believe we
should not forget things like this. Say thank you in a way that gets their
attention.