GE's Veriwise Asset Intelligence System celebrates third year since introduction

NASHVILLE, TENN., MAY 1, 2006 - GE is marking the third anniversary this week of the launch of its VeriWise Asset Intelligence system, one of the fastest-growing commercial vehicle telematics products on the market. Initially designed for truck trailers in the U.S. and Canada, VeriWise subsequently was launched in Europe, and will soon launch in Mexico.

Earlier this year, GE announced an order to equip Wal-Mart's entire 46,000 trailer fleet with VeriWise, which when completed this year will bring the total installed base to 75,000 units.

At the April 2003 meeting of the National Private Truck Council, GE introduced VeriWise as a dual-satellite, untethered trailer tracking product. It included a fully protected, trailer-mounted transceiver, a discreet antenna, and a patented power management system. The system uses the Orbcomm low earth orbit satellite network to transmit two-way data, and the standard GPS satellite network to obtain its position. The transceiver is manufactured by Delphi according to rugged automotive standards.

Since its introduction, GE has continued to add both functionality and features to VeriWise, prioritized by customer feedback obtained through actual use, focus groups, and during technology tours at the GE Global Research Center in upstate New York.

In 2004 GE introduced cargo and door sensors, hook/drop notification, geo-fencing and low battery notification. In 2005 the company announced VeriWise could be installed on refrigerated trailers. Also in 2005, GE's 53-foot drop-deck Mobile Solutions Center, a customized classroom on wheels, traversed the U.S. and Canada visiting trucking customers at their doorstep to educate them about the technology in a hands-on manner. In early 2006, GE announced the availability of a solar trickle charging system to further extend battery life.

At the same time these features were being introduced, GE took steps to accelerate further development of its technology. Scientists and engineers at GE's Global Research Center can now cross-pollinate the latest related technology from around GE to help the transportation business, through a Telematics Center of Excellence. GE also created a new business unit, the Asset Intelligence division of GE Equipment Services, to support the growing use of VeriWise in the trucking industry and develop applications for rail cars and other moving assets. Asset Intelligence is based near Chicago, in Schaumburg, Ill.

Technology developed by GE has resulted in 10 telematics-related patent filings with the U.S. Patent Office since 1994. Telematics is a term used in the trucking industry to describe the integration of wireless communications and sensor-generated information about freight and equipment status. Work continues by GE engineers to turn formerly mute assets like untethered trailers into smart, transmitting sources of information that improve supply chain decision-making.

An innovative handheld diagnostic tool developed for VeriWise installations earned the 2005 award for "Best Telematics Portable / Handheld Product" from a leading telematics industry group. VeriWise is also listed as one of GE's famed "Imagination Breakthrough" projects.

Trucking companies are using GE's trailer monitoring technology to increase security as well as efficiency. VeriWise customers can avoid losing trailers, locate stolen trailers and the cargo they contain, or to detect and prevent unauthorized transport by "dropped" trailers in between loads-all situations that drive up operating costs for shippers and ultimately consumers.

More information is available at branch offices of GE's Trailer Fleet Services business and at the Asset Intelligence website www.ge.com/assetintelligence as well as the Trailer Fleet Services Web site, www.trailerservices.com

About GE's Asset Intelligence and Trailer Fleet Services

Asset Intelligence and Trailer Fleet Services are two business units of Stamford, CT-based GE Equipment Services. Asset Intelligence, based in Schaumberg, Illinois, provides worldwide mobile-asset tracking and condition-monitoring products and services in response to the market's desire for greater safety, security and productivity throughout global supply chains. www.ge.com/assetintelligence

Trailer Fleet Services (formerly known as Transport International Pool, or TIP) is a single-source provider for all aspects of trailer fleet management. Based in Wayne, Pa., for nearly 50 years it has been a recognized leader in over-the-road trailer solutions, which today includes everything from leasing, renting, financial services, insurance, maintenance, remarketing and asset tracking. GE's Trailer Fleet Services business has 135,000 over-the-road trailer assets and operates a North American network of 100 branch locations staffed by a sales and operations team of 900 employees. Its website is www.trailerservices.com.

Media Contacts:

GE Equipment Services, Stamford, CT David Frail, 203/961.2281 david.frail@ge.com

Trailer Fleet Services, Wayne, PA Patrick Brennan, 484/254.0127 patrick.brennan@ge.com