Documentary Premiere Raises $30,000 for Focus: HOPE

DETROIT – The charity premiere of “A Car is Born,” the first television documentary to cover the history of the product development process in the automotive industry, raised $30,000 for Focus: HOPE. The Hollywood-style red carpet premiere at the Fox Theatre was sponsored by UGS Corp., a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services.

The documentary was produced by Blue Sky Productions' John McElroy , host of the television program “Autoline Detroit.” It will air on WTVS, PBS Channel 56 in Detroit , at 9 p.m. on Dec. 20. A national unveiling will take place during the first quarter of 2006.

“Focus: HOPE is honored to be the chosen beneficiary of proceeds from the “A Car is Born” premier. The combination of UGS, a major automotive technology provider, with Focus: HOPE represents an ideal relationship ,” said Eleanor Josaitis, CEO and co-founder, Focus: HOPE . “We are dedicated to equipping our students with the skills that automotive industry employers desire.

"Our goal is to use intelligent and practical action to overcome racism and poverty. We believe we can end racism and poverty through education, training, and job opportunities. We've affected the lives of thousands of young men and women through our Machinist Training Institute, Center for Advanced Technologies, and Information Technologies Center . So, every bit of support from this premiere will help us continue to move forward with intelligent and practical action.”

Focus: HOPE has been an UGS Academic Partner since 1997 and has received multiple in-kind grants of UGS® software with a total commercial value of $45 million. The organization currently utilizes 105 seats of NX™ software and 100 seats of Solid Edge® software in its Machinist Training Institute and the Center for Advanced Technologies. UGS also recently recognized Josaitis with a World Citizen Award for her commitment to diversity and community and for Focus: HOPE's excellence in manufacturing.

“A Car is Born” is an hour-long documentary that uses historical footage, combined with modern video images from all around the world, all brought to life with numerous interviews with some of the top executives in the industry. It takes viewers through all the steps needed to develop a new car: product planning, styling and design, engineering, testing and development and manufacturing.

Each segment explains how the industry used to accomplish these processes and documents how it has dramatically changed with today's modern digital technology. "A Car Is Born" literally starts with the horseless carriage and takes the viewers into the world of virtual reality.

“ John McElroy has created a unique perspective in showcasing the rich history of the evolution and making of the automobile that will broaden the understanding of how much really goes into the building process,” said Eric Sterling, vice president of automotive marketing for UGS. “UGS is a long time supporter of Focus: HOPE and we truly believe in the work of this notable charity organization. UGS is thrilled to be able to give back to the community through such a well respected organization as Focus: HOPE.”

To see all the photos, go to www.ugs.com/car_born/ and click on the photo link.

Eris Sterling of UGS presents Eleanor Josaitis with $30,000 from the premiere.

About Blue Sky Productions

Blue Sky has produced more than 600 hours of broadcast TV programming including the award winning series, Autoline Detroit. Its team of professionals offers companies and agencies full production services and facilities for corporate and training videos and other electronic programs for business communications. Studio and location shoots, editing, special effects and animation complete the full scope of Blue Sky's portfolio of video and television production services. For more information about Blue Sky Productions, visit www.blueskyproductions.tv or www.autolinedetroit.tv .

About UGS

UGS is a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services with nearly 4 million licensed seats and 46,000 customers worldwide.  Headquartered in Plano, Texas, UGS' vision is to enable a world where organizations and their partners collaborate through global innovation networks to deliver world-class products and services while leveraging UGS' open enterprise solutions, fulfilling the mission of enabling them to transform their process of innovation.  For more information on UGS products and services, visit www.ugs.com .