The Official launch of Cross Lander 244X

Key Largo,Florida - May 26, 2005

On May 26, 2005, the Ambassador of Romania Sorin Ducaru attended the official launching of the Romanian SRV Cross Lander 244X on the American market. The event took place in the exotic environment of Key Largo, Florida, in the proximity of the city of Miami, where the Cross Lander USA – the American owner of the Romanian car maker ARO – has its headquarters. The American administration was represented by Mr. William Lash III, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance. The car presentation was also attended by a large number of American media and business representatives, who had the opportunity to test the car and assess its off-road capabilities.

The Cross Lander 244X is a mid-sized SRV (Sport Recreation Vehicle) with rugged capabilities, equipped with a 4.0-liter V 6 engine and high durability power train system. It is made by the Romanian automotive company ARO S.A. - an off-road vehicle and light trucks manufacturer for more than 50 years – following its takeover by the Cross Lander USA. John Perez, the founder and CEO of Cross Lander USA stressed that the new 4x4 SRV is designed clearly for those drivers who want to take their vehicles off-road and explore nature’s wilderness. For more information you can visit www.crosslander.com.

Highlighting the 244 X relevance for the US-Romanian economic cooperation, Assistant Secretary of Commerce Lash pointed-out the effective complementarities between the Romanian talent and experience in building off-road vehicles, on the one hand, and American auto technology and marketing expertise, on the other hand. He remarked that the project - developed by a medium-size company like Cross Lander USA - represents the clearest example of the American entrepreneurial spirit and of the openness for international cooperation.

Joining Assistant Secretary Lash in commending the efforts of those Romanians and Americans who have promoted the ARO – Cross Lander project, Ambassador Ducaru underlined that the consolidation of the Romanian-American economic relationship represents a top priority for the Romanian authorities, which continue to strongly support and are highly interested in the success of bilateral business projects such as Cross Lander 244 X. At the same time, the Romanian Ambassador took the opportunity to emphasize the unprecedented dynamic of the Romanian-American commercial relations, resulted in the growth of bilateral trade between 15% and 20% per year over the last five years. He also pointed out the significant improvement of the Romanian business climate, stressing the positive impact on business of the fiscal policy of the new Romanian government, particularly of the reduction of the corporate tax rate to 16%.