CHICAGO, 7/24/04 – Bob Mull, whose Blaupunkt-sponsored "Evil Z24" show car has won the "Best of Show" award in six out of seven Hot Import Nights shows so far this season, has announced that he will retire the car from competition until the finals in Atlantic City, October 23rd. Mull made the surprise announcement before a large crowd at the awards' ceremony for the Hot Import Nights car show held here at McCormick Place today.

This remarkable car has so dominated these events in 2004 that Mull, with the support of Blaupunkt and other sponsors, had offered to step back from the competition to keep the event from becoming too predictable. Indeed, Mull's offer to withdraw parallels a recent NCCA (National Custom Car Association) rule change at the that will require cars to withdraw after six victories.

"We are 100 percent behind this rule change," said Mull. "These competitions are all about excitement, and if the same car keeps winning, it’s bad for all of us."

The Evil Z24 will continue to be displayed on the Blaupunkt booth for the remainder of the season. The car is an ultra-customized 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 that showcases Blaupunkt's newest generation of audio and video products, including 29 video monitors and a full complement of the company's revolutionary OverDrive series of flat loudspeakers, plus a wide array of automotive aftermarket performance accessories. For more information and photographs visit: http://www.gspr.com/blau/evilz_tour.html

Blaupunkt, the mobile electronics division of The Robert Bosch Corporation, designs and manufactures high quality and high performance car audio, video and navigation products for sale worldwide. For Blaupunkt dealer locations and product information, call 1(800) 950-BLAU [2528] or visit the company's web site at <www.blaupunktusa.com>.

In North America, the Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products, industrial automation and mobile products, power tools and accessories, security technology, packaging equipment and household appliances. Bosch employs more than 23,300 associates in more than 80 facilities throughout North America and reported sales of $6.6 billion in 2003. For more information, visit www.boschusa.com.

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