Published 2007-09-16

Segway and General Motors Unveil Transportation Concept

Today in Frankfurt, Germany Segway Inc. is participating in an exciting announcement about the future of clean transportation.  As we send this e-mail, on the eve of the Frankfurt Auto Show, General Motor’s Europe is unveiling an innovative concept car that integrates two Segway PT prototypes into its design.  The vision for the concept car is to provide a comprehensive solution for clean mobility in one package - the Opel Flextreme electric car to move in between cities and electric Segway Personal Transporters to move inside urban centers.

Segway’s Product Development team collaborated with Opel’s designers on the Segway PTs that integrate into the car.  As you will see by the attached photo/drawing, the Opel Flextreme features dedicated cargo space designed specifically to house and charge the units.  The Segway PTs unveiled this evening, and on display throughout the Frankfurt auto show, are prototypes and are slightly different than what we sell.  The prototypes have a smaller tire diameter and track widths, and feature retractable handlebars.

The notion of concept cars is very popular in the automotive world.  Manufacturers use them as a way to garner attention at large car shows and demonstrate the technology they are working on – no matter how far in the future it may be.  The Opel Flextreme is exactly that – a concept – that demonstrates a unique idea that may come to fruition in the future.  This project does not represent a specific business agreement between Segway and General Motors and at this time there are no plans to develop the Segway PT prototypes further or to manufacture them.

This design collaboration has been very rewarding for our team and allows us to showcase our eco-friendly product in the broader context of clean transportation solutions.  Of course we are also flattered and honored that General Motors chose the Segway PT as the short-distance transportation device to incorporate into this concept.  This attention from General Motors certainly gives Segway a lot of credibility in the eyes of the media, public and the transportation industry.

For more information, please find attached the press release that Segway Inc. is distributing to the media today regarding this collaboration.

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