National Press Release

Porsche to Auction Car at the Gala Preview of the 2009 New York International Auto Show

NEW YORK, March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 9, 2009, Porsche and East Side House Settlement (ESH), a leading social services agency that serves young people and families in the South Bronx, will host the 10th Annual Gala Preview of the New York International Auto Show at the Jacob K. Javits Center. Making its North America debut, a 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 will be auctioned at the event to support ESH college preparation programs and a state-of-the-art computer technology center for the residents of Mott Haven in the South Bronx.

"We are thrilled to partner with Porsche and its Tri-State Dealers for the Gala Preview, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year," said John Sanchez, Executive Director, East Side House Settlement. "The sale of the powerful GT3 sports car will significantly impact the young people that we serve and create long-lasting opportunities for the communities of the South Bronx."

The Gala Preview of the New York International Auto Show is a critical source of funding for East Side House Settlement, more so than ever during the current economic downtown with private sector funding down 35-40%. Without private donations and sponsors like Porsche, ESH cannot support motivated young students: scholarship assistance risks being cut, computer classes risk being reduced; and the wait list for adult education classes' risks getting longer.

"All of us in the Porsche organization are extremely proud to partner with East Side House, and I want to personally thank our Porsche Tri-State Dealers for donating this fabulous car," said Detlev von Platen, Porsche Cars North America's President and CEO. "Just as our dealers believe in delivering an exhilarating driving experience and best-in-class service with our high-performance vehicles, they also believe just as passionately in our efforts to give back to the community. In this instance, ESH students will benefit from the very best classroom prep for high school and beyond. Having won more than 28,000 races over the years, you could say that Porsche knows the importance of being well prepared in order to succeed and win."

All the funds raised on this one evening support programs such as the Mott Haven Village Prep High School, for young people who aim to attend college and a Technology Center, the first facility of its kind in the South Bronx. The 2008 class of Mott Haven seniors saw 94% graduation rates; and 98% of the graduates were accepted to one or more colleges and universities. Proceeds from the 2009 Gala Preview will go towards establishing the Bronx Haven High School, a new transfer school that makes it possible for over-aged, under-credited students at risk of dropping out to return to school to obtain their degree, and be better positioned to go to college or start a career. Over the past three years, 180 students have been accepted to college and 110 have received scholarship assistance as a direct result of funds raised at this event.

The Gala Preview event is made possible through a generous ten year partnership with the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association and the New York International Auto Show. "This is a very special year for the Gala Preview of the New York International Auto Show. We are thrilled to celebrate the 10th year of this great partnership with ESH and to continue to support their wonderful efforts to help children in the South Bronx." said Candida Romanelli, Director, New York International Auto Show.

Valued at $112,200, the lightweight, high performance GT3 is the latest in the new-generation 911 series and will be available at dealerships in fall 2009. The new 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 surpasses the previous model in performance with a larger 3.8-liter, 6-cylinder Boxer engine that features a boost in midrange torque, offering a dramatic increase in everyday driving performance. The limited-edition GT3 accelerates to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds and reaches a top track speed of 194 mph. The latest GT3 also receives updates to the suspension, refined aerodynamics with a 100% increase in downforce and new, larger brakes.

The Gala will feature a private preview of the entire Auto Show before it opens to the public; a special one-night only Porsche exhibition; a cocktail reception and a dinner for sponsors and benefactors. The evening's highlight will be the live auction of the GT3 by Christie's Auctioneer, George McNeely. For guests at the Gala Preview, the live auction is an exclusive opportunity to skip the waiting list for the new Porsche and be the first to own this highly anticipated sports car in the Northeast.

    Gala Preview Event Details:

    What:       East Side House Settlement Gala Preview of the 2009 New York
                International Auto Show

    Event
    Sponsor:    Porsche

    Media
    Sponsor:    Esquire

    When:       Thursday, April 9, 2009
                Cocktails: 6pm - 9pm; Benefactors Dinner: 8:30pm - 11pm

    Where:      Jacob K. Javits Center
                11th Avenue at 35th Street

    Website:    www.galapreview.org

For more information on the Gala Preview or the Live Auction contact Maria Corredor, Sharp Communications, Inc., at 212-829-0002 x110 or mc@sharpthink.com

ABOUT ESH

East Side House Settlement is a high quality social services agency. East Side House serves the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx, within the poorest Congressional district in the United States, only six miles from midtown Manhattan. All the proceeds from this event go directly to East Side House to fund expansion of a state-of-the- art computer technology center, which brings the information super highway to the South Bronx -- crucial to education and employment -- and a highly successful college preparation program with a 95% success rate in a neighborhood with a high school drop out rate that exceeds 50%. This program is the model for a new neighborhood college preparatory high school, sponsored by East Side House, which serves 350 youngsters and opened in September 2002

ABOUT the 2009 New York International Auto Show

Ushering in the latest motor trends, the 2009 New York International Auto Show will unveil an expansive collection of cutting-edge design and extraordinary innovation. More than four floors of displays from the world's automakers will feature the newest vehicles and futuristic concept cars. More than 1,000 cars and trucks will be on display. NYIAS is owned and produced by the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association.

Important Show Dates

    Press Preview         April 8 and 9
    Public Sneak Preview       April 10
    Public Show Dates     April 10 - 19

About Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, Ga., is the exclusive importer of Porsche sports cars and sport utility vehicles for the United States. It is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. PCNA employs approximately 180 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for its 202 dealers. The dealers, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service. Throughout its 60-year history, Porsche has developed numerous technologies that have advanced vehicle performance, improved safety and spurred environmental innovations within the automotive industry. The company continues to celebrate its heritage by adding to its long list of motorsports victories dating back to its first 24 Hours of Le Mans class win in 1951. Today, with more than 28,000 victories, Porsche is recognized as the world's most successful brand in sports car racing. PCNA, which imports the iconic 911 series, the Boxster and Cayman sports cars and Cayenne sport utility vehicles to the U.S., strives to maintain a standard of excellence, commitment and distinction synonymous with its brand.

SOURCE New York International Auto Show