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SEOUL, KOREA AND PARIS -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 24-06-2004 -- IBM and Dassault Systèmes (NASDAQ: DASTY) (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) today announced that SsangYong Motor Company's new Rodius automobile, unveiled to the public last month, was the first Korean vehicle designed and manufactured using a "virtual platform" based on their Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Solutions.

SsangYong developed the Rodius multi-purpose vehicle using IBM PLM Solutions CATIA, for collaborative product development, and ENOVIA, for data management and decision support -- both developed by Dassault Systèmes. SsangYong is the first Korean automaker to use both design and data management solutions from the IBM PLM Solutions portfolio for the entire automotive manufacturing process -- from planning and design to production. IBM Business Consulting Services (BCS) managed the implementation of PLM Solutions at SsangYong's manufacturing facilities, both in Korea and abroad.

SsangYong designed the Rodius with CATIA software, the world's leading virtual product development application. It is the industry standard for automobile design, used by the majority of top auto manufacturers to improve vehicle quality and innovation and reduce time to market. SsangYong also used ENOVIAVPM product data and lifecycle management applications to execute digital mock-ups and virtual product testing of the car and to handle the product data management necessary for mass production of the vehicle line.

Using the integrated PLM Solution and implementation management from IBM Business Consulting Services, SsangYong has made major headway in cutting its vehicle production time. The company transformed the Rodius from a concept car into a mass-production vehicle in less than two years. Highlights of SsangYong's PLM transformation include: creating an online design system, enabling the company's designers to share product data and make inquiries in real time; generating full-scale 3D digital images; decreasing significantly the number of design changes required; and reducing the time and cost of new product development.

SsangYong now plans to extend the core capability of its IBM PLM Solutions to after-sales services and overseas businesses in order to further improve customer satisfaction.

"The Rodius is the first offering to embody the new and improved SsangYong Motor technology," said Sungshin Kim, vice president and head of SsangYong Motor Research. "It is the result of the determination of SsangYong employees to make an excellent automobile effectively supported by advanced PLM technology. Thanks to powerful PLM Solutions from IBM and Dassault Systèmes, SsangYong will step up its efforts to strengthen its technology and produce more quality automobiles."

Jaemann Park, PLM Solutions Manager, IBM Korea, added, "The SsangYong Rodius can be considered a great achievement because it's the first case in Korea in which an automaker has applied both the design and data management aspects of the IBM PLM vision, and this has given SsangYong a substantial competitive advantage. SsangYong will continue to harness the benefits of PLM with partners to achieve efficient process integration, including design, production and after-sales services."

"The Rodius is a great accomplishment for the Korean automotive industry and a tangible example of PLM delivering on its promises end-to-end along the value chain, from concept design down to the shop floor," said Christian Nardin, managing director, Dassault Systèmes Asia. "SsangYong's successful deployment of our PLM solutions also illustrates the importance of having a systemic business transformation and 'best practice' approach to PLM supported throughout all levels of the organization. Dassault Systèmes and IBM together offer unmatched capabilities to help customers along their journey to PLM."

About the "Rodius"

SsangYong Motor Company announced its latest car model, "Rodius," on May 11, 2004. Rodius is a Premium MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle), functioning comprehensively not only as a passenger car, but also as a SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) mini-van combination -- a first for the Korean market. Rodius offers modesty and the feeling of passenger car performance combined with the power of an SUV. Size and its SUV-mini-van multi-use capabilities are its special features.

About SsangYong Motor Company

As a premier manufacturer of sports utility vehicles (SUV) and recreational vehicles, SsangYong Motor is making an all-out effort to be a leader in the automotive industry, establishing the SsangYong corporate brand in global markets. Founded in 1954, SsangYong Motor began its business as a manufacturer of commercial vehicles such as trucks, buses, and special purpose vehicles including mixers and fire-fighting trucks. Since the launch of a new SUV in 1988, SsangYong Motor has established its reputation for innovation, leadership, and quality in the SUV field in Korea. In 1991, Mercedes-Benz AG assisted SsangYong Motor to improve manufacturing quality of SsangYong Motor vehicles. Since, SsangYong Motors has expanded its businesses to light commercial vehicles, diesel engines, luxury passenger cars, and gasoline engines. In 1994, SsangYong Motor inaugurated its engine plant to manufacture its own engines. Since then, SsangYong Motor established its presence in three major sectors of the automobile market with its sports utility vehicles, recreational vehicles and passenger cars launching such new products as Rexton, Musso and Korando, an SUV with unique styling and outstanding performance, Istana (MB 100), and Chairman, luxury passenger car. SsangYong Motors continues its efforts to upgrade the existing products and develop new products for both Korean and international markets. For more information, please visit http://www.smotor.com.

About IBM

IBM is the world's largest technological company, providing leadership and innovation throughout the world for more than 80 years. IBM is the largest supplier of "hardware", "software" and Information Technology services, and pioneered the development and implementation of "e-business" solutions. IBM Sales & Distribution, which supports more than a dozen key industries worldwide, works with companies of all sizes around the world to deploy the full range of IBM technologies. The fastest way to get more information about IBM is through the IBM home page at http://www.ibm.com.

About Dassault Systèmes

As world leader in PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) solutions, the Dassault Systèmes Group brings value to more than 70,000 customers in 80 countries. A pioneer in the 3D software market since 1981, Dassault Systèmes develops and markets PLM application software and services that support industrial processes and provide a 3D vision of the entire life cycle of products from conception to maintenance. Its offering includes integrated PLM solutions for product development (CATIA®, ENOVIA®, DELMIA®, SMARTEAM®), general-use 3D solutions (SolidWorks), and 3D components (ACIS®) from Spatial Corp. Dassault Systèmes is listed on the Nasdaq (DASTY) and Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA) stock exchanges. For more information, visit http://www.3ds.com

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SsangYong Motor Company
Press Contact:
Munjong Ju
+82 31 610 3176
skyju15@smotor.com

IBM Press Contact:
Jennifer Feller
+33 1 41 88 61 89
jennyfeller@fr.ibm.com

Dassault Systèmes
Press Contact:
Anthony Maréchal
+33 1 55 49 84 21
anthony_marechal@ds-fr.com

Dassault Systèmes
Investor Contact:
Harriet Keen
Financial Dynamics
+44 207 831 3113

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