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Big 3 Design Leaders Create, Nurture Eyes on Design

18 June 1999

    GROSSE POINTE SHORES, Mich./ -- Twelve years ago the vice presidents of 
design from DaimlerChrysler, Ford and General Motors helped create the "Eyes on 
Design" car show to support the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology (DIO) and 
honor the past, present and future of automotive design.  Throughout the years, 
the design chiefs and the companies they represent have nurtured, consulted 
and helped make the event the world's foremost celebration of automotive design.

    With the support of DaimlerChrysler, Ford and General Motors the event is
once again expanding in 1999 to include fashion and furniture design.  The
addition of fashion and furniture design and changing the name to Eyes on
Design truly celebrates the emotion, character and execution of the design
profession.

    "This has grown to be an event to celebrate the passion and art of the
products created by designers in all industries," said 1999 Honorary Design
Chairman and DaimlerChrysler Senior Vice President of Product Design, John
Herlitz.  "We've helped create a unique design-oriented show that also helps
support the DIO and its mission.  As we move forward we are planning to expand
the depth and breadth of the event to even higher levels.

    "The automobile occupies that unique place in the human creativity, being
both a product of mass ownership and at its best, a piece of art," says GM
Vice President of Design, Wayne Cherry.  "The crowning achievements of our
work now fill the ranks of the classics and are a legacy to succeeding
generations."

    Ford's Vice President of Design, J Mays, is inspired by the Eyes on
Design's commitment to honoring the advances in design.

    "As the next century approaches, we look to the past with fondness and
draw from the optimism and innovation of those who came before us," said Mays.
"Eyes on Design allows us to honor the pioneers of automotive design,
appreciating their groundbreaking work.  They conveyed the emotions of their
time through their designs and with the convertible they created the ultimate
expression of freedom."

    Eyes on Design is the world's foremost celebration of automotive design,
attracting nearly 10,000 people every Father's Day to the Edsel & Eleanor Ford
House.  All proceeds raised by the event support the Detroit Institute of
Ophthalmology and its mission to provide ophthalmic education, research and
aid to the visually impaired.

    The DIO is a non-profit 501-(c)-(3) corporation founded in 1972.  It
operates the only Allied Health Education accredited Ophthalmic Assistant
program and two-year Ophthalmic Technician program in Michigan, one of only 13
nationwide.  The DIO also manages one of the largest support groups for
visually impaired persons in the United State.

    For more information visit http://www.brophy.com/DIO.