Manufacturing News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 1, 2006

NATRONA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE PARTICIPATES
IN KAWASAKI JET SKI® WATERCRAFT LOAN PROGRAM

The loan was facilitated by the office of Congresswoman Barbara Cubin (R-Wy)

Contact:
Freeman/McCue Public Relations
John Donaldson
(714) 557-3663 ext 219

CASPER, WYO., (June 1, 2006) —– The Natrona County Sheriff’s Office has a new lifesaving tool to use this year—a Kawasaki STX™-15F JET SKI® watercraft.

The 2006 JET SKI watercraft, which was provided by Casper Mountain Motorsports, will enable deputies to patrol county waterways and respond to search and rescue calls and other water emergencies.

In a prepared statement, Congresswoman Cubin said, "Thanks to a wonderful program offered by Kawasaki, Natrona County receives a state-of-the-art vessel assisting the department during busy weekends with heavy boat traffic," stated Congresswoman Cubin. "There are many budget constraints that make purchasing a new vessel impossible so I am proud that I can help bring this much-needed personal watercraft to the sheriff's department."

Lieutenant Stewart Anderson of the Sheriff’s Office said, “The Natrona County Sheriff’s Office will be using the JET SKI watercraft for general patrol duties as well as search and rescue missions in Natrona County as well as any other requested area. The main water areas the craft will be use on will be Pathfinder Reservoir, Alcova Reservoir as well as the North Platte River.”

The STX-15F watercraft is powered by a 1,497cc four-stroke engine that meets the California Air Resources Board 2008 emissions requirements, the most stringent marine engine emissions regulations in the U.S. boating industry. Other advanced technological features of this JET SKI watercraft include greatly increased fuel economy, Smart Steering?, a quieter exhaust sound, and a long and wide, comfortable seat that holds up to three people. The craft’s extra-stable hull and automatically retracting step make boarding easy, even in deep water.

"These JET SKI watercraft are ideally suited to rescue situations," said Roger Hagie, director of public affairs for Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.(KMC) "They're quick and maneuverable, and they have no exposed propellers or other moving parts on the outside of the hull that could harm a swimmer. In addition, JET SKI watercraft have a very shallow draft, which enables them to operate in low levels of water that might restrict other boats. We hope JET SKI watercraft can make a significant contribution to water safety in the Natrona County area in the coming months."

Following successful use of JET SKI watercraft by life-saving and marine enforcement agencies throughout the United States, Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., implemented an ongoing loan program that allows Kawasaki dealers to provide watercraft to qualified agencies across the country for periods of up to one year. Casper Mountain Motorsports arranged this loan and will service the vessel for the duration of the loan period.

This year marks the 17th anniversary of Kawasaki’s law enforcement loan program. Since the program’s inception in 1989, over 1450 individual agencies in all fifty states have borrowed in excess of 5,400 JET SKI watercraft, valued at more than $34 million. Statistical surveys completed by past agencies show that each season hundreds of lives are saved by the use of the loaned watercraft.

JET SKI is the registered trademark of Kawasaki's brand of personal watercraft. Personal watercraft are vessels that are powered by a water jet pump and carry between one and three passengers who sit, stand or kneel on (rather than inside) the vessel's hull.

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) markets and distributes Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, personal watercraft and utility vehicles through a network of more than 1,500 independent retailers, with an additional 8,400 retailers specializing in power products and general purpose engines. KMC and its affiliates employ nearly 2,400 people in the United States, with more than 450 of them located at the Irvine, California headquarters.

Kawasaki’s tagline, “Let the good times roll.™”, is recognized worldwide and the brand has become synonymous with powerful, stylish motorcycles for over four decades. Information about Kawasaki’s complete line of recreational products and Kawasaki affiliates can be found on the Internet at www.kawasaki.com.