-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: keymaster@town.hall.org Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFkwCgYEVQgBAQICAgADSwAwSAJBALeWW4xDV4i7+b6+UyPn5RtObb1cJ7VkACDq pKb9/DClgTKIm08lCfoilvi9Wl4SODbR1+1waHhiGmeZO8OdgLUCAwEAAQ== MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, DyZMp1Zj7sTB/sJr5RGuE0TT5jkbvgeVca2hsdpcdyhTif4hdt9PgshLQdNsBj+P cyp1kRpvXiaqT3N5qtEFPA== 0000040729-95-000139.txt : 19950615 0000040729-95-000139.hdr.sgml : 19950615 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000040729-95-000139 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 424B3 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 19950614 SROS: NONE FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: GENERAL MOTORS CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000040730 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: MOTOR VEHICLES & PASSENGER CAR BODIES [3711] IRS NUMBER: 380572515 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 424B3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 033-49309 FILM NUMBER: 95547105 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3044 W GRAND BLVD CITY: DETROIT STATE: MI ZIP: 48202 BUSINESS PHONE: 3135565000 424B3 1 DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN PROSPECTUS Filed Under Rule 424(b)(3) File Number 33-49309 PROSPECTUS 15,000,000 SHARES GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION $1 2/3 PAR VALUE COMMON STOCK DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN Amended Effective July 1, 1995 The Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the "Plan") of General Motors Corporation ("General Motors" or the "Corporation") has been modified effective July 1, 1995 to provide each stockholder of any of the Corporation's $1 2/3 par value common stock ("$1 2/3 par value common stock"), Class E Common Stock, $0.10 par value ("Class E Common Stock") or Class H Common Stock, $0.10 par value ("Class H Common Stock") (collectively referred to as the Corporation's "Common Stocks") with a simple, convenient and economical method of reinvesting cash dividends and/or making optional cash investments in order to purchase additional shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock. Although holders of Class E Common Stock and Class H Common Stock may participate, the Plan provides only for the purchase of $1 2/3 par value common stock (see Question 5). Participants in the amended Plan may acquire shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock beginning on July 1, 1995 by: - Automatically reinvesting all or a portion of the cash dividends on one or more of the Corporation's Common Stocks in additional shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock (subject to a $100,000 quarterly maximum amount limitation which may be waived by the Corporation -- see Question 20); or - Making optional cash investments totalling not less than $25.00 nor more than $4,000 per monthly cycle, whether they are reinvesting all, a part, or none of their cash dividends (see Question 23). Participants currently enrolled in the Plan will continue to participate until their participation is modified or terminated by written request to Bank of Boston (the "Plan Administrator") at the address specified in Question 3. Stockholders who have not already enrolled and want to do so should simply complete an Authorization Form and return it to the Plan Administrator at the address specified in Question 3. Authorization Forms may be obtained from the Plan Administrator at the address or telephone number specified in Question 3. This Prospectus relates to 15,000,000 shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock, authorized and unissued or held in the treasury of the Corporation, registered for sale under the Plan. This Prospectus should be retained for future reference. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. The date of this Prospectus is July 1, 1995. - 2 - TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Available Information............................................. 3 Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference................... 4 General Motors Corporation ....................................... 5 Use of Proceeds................................................... 5 Description of General Motors Corporation Dividend Reinvestment Plan............................................... 5 Purposes and Advantages..................................... 6 Administration.............................................. 7 Participation............................................... 8 Costs....................................................... 11 Purchases................................................... 12 Dividend Reinvestment....................................... 14 Optional Cash Investments................................... 15 Reports to Participants..................................... 18 Issuance of Stock Certificates for Shares Purchased Under Plan................................................ 18 Safekeeping-Putting Additional Stock Certificates in Custody................................................ 20 Sale of Shares in Plan Accounts............................. 22 Taxation.................................................... 22 Other Information........................................... 24 Legal Opinion..................................................... 26 Experts........................................................... 27 NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE CORPORATION TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN AS CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE CORPORATION. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, THE SECURITIES TO WHICH THIS PROSPECTUS RELATES IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE CORPORATION SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE. AVAILABLE INFORMATION General Motors is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements and other information filed by General Motors with - 3 - the Commission can be inspected, and copies may be obtained, at the Public Reference Section of the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549-1004, at prescribed rates, as well as at the following Regional Offices of the Commission: Seven World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048; and Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661- 2511. Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning General Motors can also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 11 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, where the $1 2/3 par value common stock, Class E Common Stock and Class H Common Stock of General Motors are listed and at the offices of the following other stock exchanges where the $1 2/3 par value common stock is listed: the Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc., One Financial Place, 440 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60605; the Pacific Stock Exchange, Inc., 233 South Beaudry Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90012 and 301 Pine Street, San Francisco, California 94104; and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc., 1900 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. General Motors has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering the shares described herein. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further information, reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE The following documents, which have been filed by General Motors with the Commission, are incorporated herein by reference: l. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994, as amended on Forms 10-K/A dated March 17 and 24, 1995 (as amended, the "1994 Form 10-K"); 2. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1995; 3. Current Reports on Form 8-K dated March 3, 13, 24 and May 30, 1995; and 4. The description of the $1 2/3 par value common stock set forth in Article Fourth of the restated General Motors Certificate of Incorporation, as amended to May 26, 1994, filed as Exhibit 3(i) to the General Motors Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 26, 1994. All documents filed by General Motors with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the shares offered hereby shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus. - 4 - General Motors will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the documents which have been or may be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, other than exhibits to such documents not specifically described above. Requests for such documents should be directed to General Motors Corporation, Room 11-243, General Motors Building, 3044 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan 48202- 3091 (Telephone Number (313) 556-2044). GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION While the major portion of General Motors' operations is derived from the automotive products industry segment, General Motors also has financing and insurance operations and produces products and provides services in other industry segments. The automotive products segment consists of the design, manufacture, assembly and sale of automobiles, trucks and related parts and accessories. General Motors financing and insurance operations assist in the merchandising of General Motors' products as well as other products. General Motors Acceptance Corporation ("GMAC") and its subsidiaries offer financial services and certain types of insurance to dealers and customers. In addition, GMAC and its subsidiaries are engaged in mortgage banking and investment services. General Motors' other products segment consists of military vehicles, radar and weapon control systems, guided missile systems and defense and commercial satellites; the design, installation and operation of business information and telecommunications systems; as well as the design, development and manufacture of locomotives. For additional information on General Motors, see the General Motors 1994 Form 10-K which is incorporated herein by reference, and the other documents incorporated herein by reference. The Corporation's principal executive offices are located at 3044 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan 48202-3091 (Telephone Number (313) 556- 5000), and 767 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10153-0075 (Telephone Number (212) 418-6100). USE OF PROCEEDS The Corporation does not know the number of original issue shares, if any, of $1 2/3 par value common stock that may ultimately be offered under the Plan, the prices at which they may be offered or the timing of offerings, the last being at the sole discretion of the Corporation. If shares of original issues $1 2/3 par value common stock are issued, the net proceeds received therefrom will be added to the Corporation's general funds to be used for general Corporate purposes. DESCRIPTION OF GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN The following questions and answers constitute the provisions of the General Motors Corporation Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the "Plan") under which General Motors Corporation ("General Motors" or the "Corporation") will sell, and holders of the Corporation's Common Stock, $1 2/3 par value ("$1 2/3 par value common stock"), Class E Common Stock, $0.10 par value ("Class E Common Stock"), or Class H Common Stock, $0.10 par value ("Class H Common Stock") (together, the Corporation's "Common Stocks") may purchase, shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock through the automatic reinvestment of cash dividends paid on shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks and/or through optional cash investments. - 5 - PURPOSES AND ADVANTAGES 1. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PLAN? The Plan provides eligible holders of the Corporation's Common Stocks with a simple, convenient and economical method of reinvesting cash dividends and/or making optional cash investments to purchase additional shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock. The shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock acquired under the Plan will be purchased by the Plan Administrator (see Question 3) either from the Corporation or on the open market (see Question 16). To the extent that shares are purchased from the Corporation, the Corporation will receive additional funds to be used for general corporate purposes. 2. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE PLAN? Stockholders participating in the Plan (each, a "participant") can enjoy the following advantages: FULL INVESTMENT. Full investment of funds is possible under the Plan because fractions of shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock, as well as whole shares, will be credited to a participant's account. Further, dividends on such fractions, as well as whole shares, will be reinvested in additional shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock that will also be credited to a participant's account. SAFEKEEPING. A participant avoids the need for safekeeping of certificates for shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock purchased for a participant's Plan account because such certificates are held in trust for the participant by the Plan Administrator. In addition, a participant may deposit for safekeeping in his or her Plan account any stock certificates for the Corporation's $1 2/3 par value common stock, Class E Common Stock and Class H Common Stock registered in such participant's name(s) through the free custodial service described in Question 33. Dividends on shares deposited for safekeeping under the Plan may also be reinvested in shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock. By making such a deposit, a participant is relieved of the responsibility for loss, theft or destruction of the stock certificates. LOWER BROKERAGE FEES. Brokerage commissions on shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock purchased or sold on the open market by the Plan Administrator will be lower than those normally incurred by an individual private investor given the commission economies achievable by pooling accounts and purchasing or selling a large number of shares at any one time (see Questions 13 and 35). There will be no brokerage fees if shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock are purchased by the Plan Administrator from the Corporation. - 6 - OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS. In addition to reinvesting dividends, participants may purchase shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock by making optional cash investments totalling not less than $25.00 nor more than $4,000 per month by sending funds to the Plan Administrator (see Question 21). RECORD-KEEPING. Regular statements of account will be mailed to each participant in the Plan as soon as practicable after each purchase of $1 2/3 par value common stock under the Plan. Such statements will show the date of the investment, the amounts invested, the purchase price, the number of shares purchased, the total number of shares accumulated in the participant's account and comparable information for all previous transactions for the year to date, thus providing simplified record- keeping (see Question 28). ADMINISTRATION 3. WHO ADMINISTERS THE PLAN FOR PARTICIPANTS? A plan administrator (the "Plan Administrator") will administer the Plan for participants, maintain records, send statements of account activity to participants and perform other duties relating to the Plan. The Plan Administrator will hold for safekeeping shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock purchased for, or the Corporation's Common Stocks deposited for safekeeping by, each participant until termination of participation in the Plan or receipt of a written request from a participant for the issuance of a certificate for all or a portion of such shares. Bank of Boston has been designated by the Corporation as its agent to serve as Plan Administrator. Bank of Boston also serves as dividend disbursing agent, principal transfer agent and registrar of the Corporation's Common Stocks. Shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock purchased under the Plan and held by the Plan Administrator will be registered in its name or the name of one of its nominees. As the record holder of shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks held for participants under the Plan, the Plan Administrator will receive dividends on such shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks, will credit such dividends to each participant's account on the basis of full and fractional shares held in each account, and will automatically reinvest such dividends in additional shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock, as the participant has so elected. In the event that the Plan Administrator should resign or otherwise cease to act as agent, the Corporation will make such other arrangements as it deems appropriate for the administration of the Plan. The Corporation and/or the Plan Administrator may adopt rules and regulations to facilitate the administration of the Plan (see Questions 39 and 46). Costs of Plan administration are paid by the Corporation, except where a participant requests a sale of any shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks or where the Plan Administrator purchases shares of $ 1 2/3 par value common stock on the open market (see Question 13). - 7 - All correspondence regarding the Plan should refer to General Motors Corporation and be addressed to: Bank of Boston General Motors Dividend Reinvestment Plan P.O. Box 9255 Boston, MA 02205-9255 Telephone inquiries may be made to Bank of Boston at 1-800-331-9922. PARTICIPATION 4. WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE? Two types of stockholders are eligible to be participants: (a) stockholders whose shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks are registered in their own names on the Corporation's stock transfer records ("registered owners") and (b) stockholders who beneficially own shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks that are registered in a name other than their own (i.e., in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee) ("beneficial owners"). Registered owners may participate directly in the Plan. Beneficial owners may participate in the Plan by either becoming registered owners which requires having such shares transferred into their own names or by making arrangements with their broker, bank or other nominee to participate on their behalf (see Questions 8, l9 and 22). Savings and benefit plans of the Corporation and of its subsidiaries and participants in such plans are not eligible to participate in the Plan in respect of the Corporation's Common Stocks contained in such savings and benefit plans (see Question 7). A stockholder who is currently participating in the existing Plan by reinvesting all or part of his or her dividends will automatically remain enrolled in the amended Plan. A stockholder who wishes to change participation in any way under the Plan must submit a new Authorization Form (see Questions 10, 11 and 12) or, if a stockholder wishes to withdraw from or cease participation in the amended Plan, the stockholder must submit a withdrawal request (see Question 34). The right to participate in the Plan is not transferable to another person apart from a transfer of a participant's underlying shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks. Stockholders who reside in jurisdictions in which it is unlawful for the Corporation to permit their participation are not eligible to participate in the Plan. 5. CAN THE CORPORATION'S CLASS E COMMON STOCK AND CLASS H COMMON STOCK STOCKHOLDERS PARTICIPATE IN THE PLAN? Both Class E Common Stock and Class H Common Stock stockholders can participate in the Plan in the same manner as $1 2/3 par value stockholders. It should be noted, however, that any dividends reinvested or optional cash investments made by such stockholders will be used only to acquire shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock. Neither Class E Common Stock nor Class H Common Stock can be purchased pursuant to the Plan. - 8 - 6. ARE HOLDERS OF ANY OF THE CORPORATION'S SERIES OF PREFERENCE STOCKS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE Plan? No. Only holders of one of the Corporation's three classes of Common Stock are eligible to participate in the Plan. 7. ARE THE CORPORATION'S EMPLOYEES OR THE EMPLOYEES OF ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE THROUGH ONE OR MORE OF THE CORPORATION'S OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES' BENEFIT OR SAVINGS PLANS, SUCH AS THE GENERAL MOTORS SAVINGS-STOCK PURCHASE PROGRAM? No. Savings and other benefit plans of the Corporation and of its subsidiaries and participants in such plans are not eligible to participate in the Plan in respect of the Corporation's Common Stocks contained in such benefit and savings plans. However, employees of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries can participate in the Plan by reinvesting dividends on any of the Corporation's Common Stocks that they may own outside of a corporate benefit or savings plan and are otherwise eligible to participate under the guidelines specified in Question 4. 8. HOW DOES AN ELIGIBLE STOCKHOLDER PARTICIPATE? A registered holder of any of the Corporation's Common Stocks not already enrolled in the Plan may participate by completing and signing an Authorization Form and returning it to the Plan Administrator. An Authorization Form may be obtained at any time by written or telephone request to the Plan Administrator at the address and phone number specified in Question 3. If a participant's shares are registered in more than one name or a representative capacity is indicated (i.e., joint tenants, trustees, etc.), all registered holders must sign the Authorization Form exactly as their names appear in the Corporation's stock transfer records. A beneficial owner who wishes to participate in the Plan, but whose shares are held in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee, must make arrangements with his or her broker, bank or other nominee who in turn will make arrangements with the Plan Administrator. See Question l9 for information regarding the reinvestment of dividends by beneficial owners. See Question 22 for information regarding optional cash investments by beneficial owners. Current participants in the existing Plan who wish to continue to reinvest their cash dividends or who wish to make optional cash investments do not need to complete and return a new Authorization Form. If a stockholder returns a properly executed Authorization Form to the Plan Administrator without electing an investment option, such Authorization Form will be deemed to indicate the intention of such stockholder to apply all cash dividends on the Corporation's Common Stocks and any optional cash investments toward the purchase of additional shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock. - 9 - 9. WHEN MAY ELIGIBLE STOCKHOLDERS ENROLL IN THE PLAN AND WHEN IS SUCH ENROLLMENT EFFECTIVE? An eligible stockholder may enroll in the Plan at any time. Enrollment is effective when the Authorization Form is received and processed by the Plan Administrator. If an Authorization Form specifying reinvestment of dividends is received by the Plan Administrator on or before the record date established for a particular dividend payment, reinvestment will commence with that dividend. Dividend payment dates for the Corporation's Common Stocks are ordinarily the tenth of March, June, September and December. In the past, record dates for General Motors have generally preceded the dividend payment dates by approximately one month. It is anticipated that dividend record dates and payment dates for the Corporation's Common Stocks in the future will be approximately the same times of the year as they currently are scheduled to occur. If the Authorization Form is received after the record date established for a particular dividend, the dividend will be paid in cash and the reinvestment of dividends will not begin until the dividend payment date following the next record date. An eligible stockholder may also enroll in the Plan through the timely delivery of an Authorization Form and an optional cash payment (see Question 21). See Questions 14 and 26 for information concerning the timing of optional cash investments. Once enrolled, participants remain enrolled until their participation is discontinued or until the Plan is terminated (see Questions 31, 34 and 39). 10. IS PARTIAL PARTICIPATION POSSIBLE UNDER THE PLAN? Yes. A stockholder who owns more than one class of the Corporation's Common Stocks may indicate on the Authorization Form which class(es) ($1 2/3 par value common stock, Class E Common Stock, and/or Class H Common Stock) he or she wishes to have eligible for dividend reinvestment. In addition, a stockholder who desires to reinvest less than all of his or her total dividends for the class(es) selected may indicate such percentage of total cash dividends to be reinvested in 25% increments (see Question ll). ll. WHAT DOES THE AUTHORIZATION FORM PROVIDE? The Authorization Form is designed to be used by an eligible stockholder whose shares are registered in his or her name to enroll in the Plan and provides for the reinvestment of dividends and/or the making of optional cash investments. The Authorization Form provides for the following: (a) Permits eligible stockholders to enroll in the Plan and directs the Plan Administrator to invest in accordance with the Plan the participant's cash dividends on any and/or all classes of the Corporation's Common Stocks then or subsequently registered in the participant's name. The Authorization Form also permits a stockholder who desires to reinvest less than all of his or her total dividends available for the class(es) selected to indicate such a percentage in 25% increments. In each case, dividends will be reinvested on the class(es) of the Corporation's Common Stocks and percentage of total dividends designated on the Authorization Form, until a participant specifies otherwise in a new Authorization Form or withdraws from the Plan altogether, or until the Plan is terminated. See Questions 31, 34 and 39 for more information about termination of participation. All enrolled participants are also permitted to make optional cash investments for the purchase of additional shares of the Corporation's $1 2/3 par value common stock in accordance with the Plan; or - 10 - (b) Permits eligible stockholders to enroll in the Plan and make optional cash investments for the purchase of additional shares of the Corporation's $1 2/3 par value common stock in accordance with the Plan even if none of the participant's cash dividends on shares registered in the participant's name are being reinvested under the Plan; and (c) Permits a participant in the Plan to change his or her participation in the Plan at any time, by completing and sending a new Authorization Form to the Plan Administrator. The Authorization Form permits eligible stockholders who are not already participating in the existing Plan to enroll in the amended Plan. A stockholder who is currently participating in the existing Plan will automatically remain enrolled in the amended Plan and need not submit a new Authorization Form. However, should a participant desire to change participation in any manner, the participant may do so by completing and sending a new Authorization Form to the Plan Administrator. 12. HOW MAY PARTICIPANTS CHANGE INVESTMENT OPTIONS UNDER THE PLAN? A participant may change investment options at any time by requesting a new Authorization Form and returning it to the Plan Administrator at the address specified in Question 3. A request for a new Authorization Form may be made by contacting the Plan Administrator at the address or telephone number specified in Question 3. Changes in investment options are effective when the Plan Administrator receives and processes a properly signed and completed Authorization Form (see Question 9). See Question 34 on how a participant may withdraw from and cease participation in the Plan. COSTS 13. ARE THERE ANY EXPENSES TO A PARTICIPANT IN CONNECTION WITH PURCHASES AND SALES UNDER THE PLAN? There are no costs if shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock are purchased by the Plan Administrator from the Corporation. Under the Plan, the Corporation may sell original issue shares or treasury shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock to the Plan Administrator (see Question 16). In such cases, no cost whatsoever is incurred by the participant. Only if the Plan Administrator purchases shares on the open market will the cost of brokerage commissions be passed on to participants. However, these commissions are lower than those normally incurred by an individual private investor given the commission economies achievable by pooling accounts and purchasing or selling a large number of shares at any one time. In addition, if a participant requests the Plan Administrator to sell shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks held in a participant's Plan account, any brokerage commissions, fees and applicable transfer taxes paid in connection with such sale will be deducted from the proceeds of any such sale along with a $5.00 service charge for each class of General Motors Common Stock sold (see Question 35). - 11 - All costs of record-keeping, reporting, custody and administration of the Plan will be paid by the Corporation. There is no charge for the issuance of a stock certificate for $1 2/3 par value common stock purchased under the Plan. See Question 29 for more information on obtaining a stock certificate for shares held in a Plan account. PURCHASES 14. WHEN WILL SHARES OF $1 2/3 PAR VALUE COMMON STOCK BE PURCHASED UNDER THE PLAN? Dividends and optional cash investments will be reinvested or invested, as the case may be, on the "Investment Date." The Investment Date for the reinvestment of dividends is each dividend payment date (see Question 9). The Investment Date for optional cash investments is each 20th day of the month. Optional cash investments must be received by the Plan Administrator no later than three business days preceding the relevant Investment Date. Should the Investment Date for optional cash investments in any month fall on a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in Boston, Massachusetts are authorized or obligated to close, the Investment Date will be the following trading day. All shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock purchased with optional cash investments on the February, May, August and November Investment Dates will not be entitled to dividends declared and payable in the next succeeding month. NO INTEREST WILL BE PAID BY THE CORPORATION OR THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR ON DIVIDENDS OR OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS HELD BY THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR PENDING REINVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT. PARTICIPANTS ARE THEREFORE STRONGLY URGED TO TRANSMIT THEIR OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS SO AS TO BE RECEIVED BY THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR PRIOR TO THE THIRD BUSINESS DAY PRECEDING THE INVESTMENT DATE FOR OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS (SEE QUESTIONS 26 AND 27). 15. HOW ARE SHARES OF $1 2/3 PAR VALUE COMMON STOCK ACQUIRED UNDER THE PLAN AND HOW MANY SHARES WILL BE PURCHASED FOR A PARTICIPANT? The Plan Administrator will apply any dividends and any optional cash investments to the purchase of $1 2/3 par value common stock pursuant to the Plan on the applicable Investment Date, except when prohibited under applicable federal or state securities laws. For the purpose of making purchases, the Plan Administrator will commingle the funds of all participants. The number of shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock to be purchased for each participant's Plan account for a given Investment Date will be determined by the amount of optional cash investments, if any, made by or on behalf of the participant, the amount of the dividends, if any, being reinvested and the price paid by the Plan Administrator for the $1 2/3 par value common stock. The entire amount of the dividends being reinvested will be used to purchase additional shares, except in the case of certain participants subject to income tax withholding (see Question 36). Each participant's Plan account will be credited with that number of shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock, including fractional shares rounded to three decimal places, purchased for the participant's Plan account equal to the total amount to be invested divided by the purchase price per share. The Corporation will pay to the Plan Administrator cash dividends on all or that percentage of shares (including Plan shares) of the Corporation's Common Stocks authorized by each participant in accordance with the participant's directions on the Authorization Form. The Plan Administrator will apply to the purchase of additional Plan shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock such dividends and any optional cash investments received by the Plan Administrator from or on behalf of the participant prior to the applicable Investment Date. - 12 - 16. WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF THE SHARES OF $1 2/3 PAR VALUE COMMON STOCK TO BE SOLD UNDER THE PLAN? Prior to the record date for any dividend payment date or Investment Date for optional cash investment, the Corporation will determine the source of the shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock needed to satisfy the requirements of the Plan for that dividend reinvestment or optional cash investment. The source of the shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock shall be either original issue shares or treasury shares purchased directly from the Corporation by the Plan Administrator, outstanding shares purchased by the Plan Administrator on the open market, or any combination of the above sources. 17. WHAT WILL BE THE PER-SHARE PRICE OF $1 2/3 PAR VALUE COMMON STOCK PURCHASED THROUGH THE PLAN? ORIGINAL ISSUE AND TREASURY SHARES The per-share price of original issue $1 2/3 par value common stock and treasury shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock purchased from the Corporation with reinvested dividends and/or optional cash investments will be the average of the high and low market prices of the Corporation's $1 2/3 par value common stock as reported in the Composite Tape of transactions as reported in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, EASTERN EDITION on the relevant Investment Date. No shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock will be sold by the Corporation at less than the par value of such shares. OPEN MARKET PURCHASES The per-share price of outstanding $1 2/3 par value common stock purchased on the open market with reinvested dividends and/or optional cash investments on behalf of all participants will be the average cost of all shares so purchased, including brokerage commissions but excluding other fees paid by the Corporation (see Questions 13 and 35). The Plan Administrator will make every effort to invest promptly, on and after each relevant Investment Date, and in no event more than 30 days after the Plan Administrator's receipt thereof, all dividends and optional cash investments paid to it, except where and to the extent that any applicable Federal securities law may otherwise require. Such purchases may be made on any securities exchange where the Corporation's $1 2/3 par value common stock is traded, in the over-the-counter market, or by negotiated transactions and may be subject to such terms and conditions, including price and delivery, as the Plan Administrator may agree to. Neither the Corporation nor any participant shall have any authority or power to direct the time or price at which shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock may be purchased or the selection of the broker or dealer through or from whom purchases are to be made. - 13 - DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT 18. HOW DOES THE DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN WORK? On each dividend payment date a participant's full or partial cash dividends will be remitted to the Plan Administrator in accordance with such participant's directions on the Authorization Form submitted to the Plan Administrator (see Question ll). The Plan Administrator will reinvest such dividends, as well as the cash dividends on shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock previously credited to the participant's Plan account in accordance with the participant's directions. Dividends on a fractional share of $1 2/3 par value common stock contained in a Plan account will also be reinvested in additional shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock. Purchases of $1 2/3 par value common stock will be made by the Plan Administrator as outlined in Question 15. l9. HOW DOES A STOCKHOLDER OF GENERAL MOTORS COMMON STOCKS NOT ALREADY ENROLLED IN THE PLAN REINVEST DIVIDENDS HELD IN THE NAME OF A BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE? In the event that a stockholder is not a registered holder, and a broker, bank or other nominee holds the stockholder's stock in its name or at a securities depository in the United States, reinvestment of dividends must be made through such broker, bank or other nominee. The beneficial owner's broker, bank or other nominee must in turn instruct its own nominee to make arrangements with the Plan Administrator each time such beneficial owner wishes to reinvest a quarterly dividend. It may do so by contacting the Plan Administrator at 1-800-331-9922. 20. ARE THERE ANY MAXIMUM OR MINIMUM LIMITATIONS ON THE AMOUNT A PARTICIPANT CAN INVEST UNDER THE DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PROVISIONS OF THE PLAN? There is no minimum limitation on the amount a participant can invest under the dividend reinvestment provisions of the Plan, although stockholders are subject to a quarterly maximum of $100,000 per participant; however, a participant wishing to reinvest dividends in excess of $100,000 may do so by first obtaining the specific approval of the Corporation. Requests for such approval should be directed to the Plan Administrator at 1-800-331-9922 no later than three business days before the next Investment Date. It is totally within the Corporation's discretion whether to grant any such approval for any dividend reinvestment in excess of the allowable quarterly maximum amount and such approvals may be made from time to time. - 14 - OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS 21. HOW DOES A PARTICIPANT MAKE OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS? Each month the Plan Administrator will apply any optional cash investment payment in good funds timely received by the Plan Administrator from a participant to the purchase of $1 2/3 par value common stock for the account of the participant on the next Investment Date. See Questions 14 and 26 for when optional cash investments received by the Plan Administrator will be invested. All registered holders of the Corporation's Common Stocks who have submitted a signed Authorization Form are eligible to make optional cash investments at any time. A beneficial owner whose shares are held in the name of a broker, bank, other nominee or securities depository may not make optional cash investments. Eligible registered holders may make optional cash investments by mailing to the Plan Administrator, at the address specified in Question 3, a check or money order payable to "Bank of Boston-General Motors," accompanied by either a completed and signed Authorization Form or the tear-off portion, properly completed and signed, which is attached to each participant's Plan account statement. Payment methods available include personal checks drawn on United States-domiciled financial institutions or money market mutual funds, cashier's checks, money orders, Federal Reserve Bank checks and travelers checks. Items such as drafts and warrants, and checks drawn on foreign-domiciled financial institutions are not acceptable due to the longer clearance periods. Other forms of payment, including wire transfers, may be made only if the participant makes prior arrangements with the Plan Administrator. Cash should never be sent. The same amount of money need not be sent each month and there is no obligation to make an optional cash investment in any month. Optional cash investments must be made in United States dollars. 22. MAY A PARTICIPANT MAKE OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS WHEN SHARES ARE HELD IN THE NAME OF A BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE? No. Optional cash investments may not be made by a participant who is not a registered holder and whose broker, bank or other nominee holds the participant's shares in its name or in the name of a securities depository. 23. ARE THERE ANY MAXIMUM OR MINIMUM LIMITATIONS ON THE AMOUNT THAT MAY BE INVESTED USING OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS? Except as provided in the following paragraph, for any Investment Date, optional cash investments are subject to a minimum investment of $25.00 and a maximum investment of $4,000 per participant per month irrespective of a participant's shareholdings. Participants wishing to submit an optional cash payment in excess of $4,000 may do so by first obtaining the specific approval of the Corporation no later than three business days prior to the Investment Date. Requests for such approval should be directed to the Plan Administrator at 1-800-331-9922 only. It is totally within the Corporation's discretion whether to grant any such approval for any investments in excess of the allowable monthly maximum investment amount. - 15 - Optional cash investments of less than $25.00 and that portion of any optional cash investment which exceeds the allowable monthly maximum investment amount and for which approval has not been granted by the Corporation will be returned to the participant without interest. The limitations on the amounts of optional cash investments described above are subject to change at any time by the Corporation. All purchases made with optional cash investments will appear on the Plan account statement sent to each participant following such purchases of $1 2/3 par value common stock pursuant to the Plan (see Question 28). 24. WHAT IF A PARTICIPANT HAS MORE THAN ONE ACCOUNT? For the purpose of the limitations discussed in Question 23, at the Corporation's discretion all optional cash investments for holders with more than one account using the same Social Security or Taxpayer Identification Number may be aggregated. For holders unable to supply a Social Security or Taxpayer Identification Number, the holder's participation may, at the Corporation's discretion, be limited to only one Plan account. Also for the purpose of such limitations, all Plan accounts which the Corporation, in its sole judgment, believes to be under common control or management or to have common ultimate beneficial ownership may be aggregated. If the Corporation determines that such accounts will be aggregated, unless the Corporation has also determined that individual investments of optional cash investments for such accounts would be consistent with the purposes of the Plan, the Corporation will have the right to return without interest within 30 days of receipt any amounts in excess of the applicable investment limitations (see Question 23) received in respect of such accounts. The Corporation may establish other or additional requirements that apply to participation in the Plan by brokers, banks and others acting in a representative capacity on behalf of owners of the Corporation's Common Stocks. The Corporation reserves the right to decide that future participation by any participant in the Plan is dependent upon compliance with all requirements currently in effect applicable to optional cash investments (see Question 40). 25. MAY A PARTICIPANT PURCHASE A SPECIFIC NUMBER OF SHARES OF $1 2/3 PAR VALUE COMMON STOCK? The manner in which the Plan operates does not permit the Corporation to honor a request that a specific number of shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock be purchased (see Questions 15 and 17). - 16 - 26. WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT DATES APPLICABLE TO OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS? Optional cash investments may be invested by a participant each month (see Question 14). In order for funds to be invested on the next Investment Date, the Plan Administrator must have received a check, money order or wire transfer (where permitted (see Question 21)) at least three business days prior to the Investment Date and such check, money order or wire transfer must have cleared on or before the Investment Date. Checks and money orders are accepted subject to timely collection as good funds and verification of compliance with the terms of the Plan. Checks returned to the Plan Administrator for any reason will not be resubmitted for collection. In the event that any check is returned unpaid for any reason, the Plan Administrator will consider the request for investment of such money null and void and shall immediately remove from the participant's account shares, if any, purchased upon the prior credit of such money. The Plan Administrator shall thereupon be entitled to sell these shares to satisfy any uncollected amounts. If the net proceeds of the sale of such shares are insufficient to satisfy the balance of such uncollected amounts, the Plan Administrator shall be entitled to sell such additional shares from the participant's Plan account to satisfy the uncollected balance. Optional cash investments received after the Investment Date or not having cleared as described above will be applied to purchases of $1 2/3 par value common stock for the next Investment Date (but see Question 27 for certain circumstances under which optional cash investments may be returned). No interest will be paid by the Corporation or the Plan Administrator on optional cash investments held pending investment. Therefore, although optional cash investments may be made at any time, a participant must mail them in sufficient time so as to be received by the Plan Administrator at least three business days prior to the next Investment Date. In order for optional cash investments to be invested on the next Investment Date, in addition to the receipt of good funds before such Investment Date, the Plan Administrator must have received a properly signed and completed Authorization Form (see Question 21). 27. UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES MAY A PARTICIPANT RECOVER OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS OR WILL OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS BE RETURNED? A participant may, without terminating participation in the Plan, recover any optional cash investment held for investment upon the participant's request provided such request is received by the Plan Administrator at least three business days prior to the Investment Date for optional cash investments. Optional cash investments of less than $25.00 and that portion of any optional cash investment which exceeds the allowable monthly maximum investment amount will be returned to the participant without interest (see Question 23). - 17 - REPORTS TO PARTICIPANTS 28. WHAT KIND OF REPORTS WILL PLAN PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE? As soon as practicable after each Investment Date, participants who are record holders will receive a Plan statement showing the date of the investment, the amounts invested, the purchase price, the number of shares purchased, the total number of shares accumulated in the participant's account, and comparable information for all previous transactions for the year to date. In addition, such statement will show the number of shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks, if any, held in the participant's Plan account for safekeeping and reinvestment of dividends to acquire shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock. Brokers, banks and other nominees who are participating on behalf of beneficial owners but who do not belong to a securities depository will also receive such statements. Since such statements will reflect a record holder's costs for the purchase of shares under the Plan, they should be retained for income tax purposes. The stub of these statements may also be used to request stock certificates for shares held by a record holder under the Plan and to make optional cash investments (see Questions 21 and 29). Annually, the total amount of dividends considered paid to a participant who is a record holder, including amounts reinvested, and the cash proceeds from the sale of shares will be reported to such participant, to the Internal Revenue Service and, if required, to state taxation authorities. In addition, each participant will receive copies of the same communications sent to all other stockholders of the Corporation, including copies of the Corporation's annual and midyear reports to stockholders, a notice of the annual meeting and accompanying proxy statement. All notices, statements and reports from the Plan Administrator to a participant will be addressed to the participant at the participant's last address of record with the Plan Administrator. Therefore, participants must promptly notify the Plan Administrator of any change of address (see Question 45). ISSUANCE OF STOCK CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES PURCHASED UNDER PLAN 29. WILL STOCK CERTIFICATES BE ISSUED FOR SHARES OF $1 2/3 PAR VALUE COMMON STOCK PURCHASED UNDER THE PLAN? Except as stated below and in Question 34, the Corporation will not issue to participants stock certificates for shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock purchased under the Plan unless requested in writing to do so. A participant's shares will be held for such participant's account in the name of the Plan Administrator or its nominee. The number of shares purchased under the Plan will be shown on the statement of account of each record holder. This feature protects against loss, theft or destruction of stock certificates. In the case of a stockholder whose shares are registered in his or her name, the Plan account will be maintained in the exact name(s) in which the stock certificates were registered at the time the participant entered the Plan and certificates for whole shares will be similarly registered when issued to the participant. Should a participant want shares registered and - 18 - issued in a different name or should the participant want to change the name in which the Plan account is maintained, a participant must so indicate in a written request. In such a case, a participant will have to comply with any applicable stock transfer requirements of the Corporation's transfer agent (see Question 3). In the case of a beneficial owner, the Plan account will be maintained in the name of the broker, bank or other nominee and the beneficial owner will have to contact such broker, banker or other nominee concerning proposed changes to his or her account. In addition, stock certificates for all or any number of whole shares credited to a Plan account will be issued at no charge upon the written request of a participant, and the shares represented by such certificates will thereupon be withdrawn from the participant's account. The dividends on withdrawn shares will be reinvested under the Plan at the same percentage(s) as the Participant has elected on his or her Authorization Form unless the participant notifies the Plan Administrator of his or her termination of participation in the Plan. The request for withdrawal of shares should be mailed to the Plan Administrator at the address specified in Question 3. In addition, a participant who is a record holder may also receive a stock certificate for any or all whole shares held in such participant's Plan account by appropriately completing the stub of a Plan account statement and returning it to the Plan Administrator. In no case will stock certificates for fractional shares be issued. Instead, fractional shares will be paid in cash. After a partial withdrawal of shares, dividends on any remaining whole shares and any fractions of a share will continue to be credited to the participant's account in accordance with the participant's instructions on the most recently processed Authorization Form (see Question 30). Any request for stock certificates received on or after a dividend record date may not become effective until dividends for such record date have been reinvested and the $1 2/3 par value common stock so purchased is credited to accounts under the Plan. Whole shares purchased through a broker, bank or other nominee will be issued in the form of stock certificates. Dividends on shares for which stock certificates are issued will be paid in cash or reinvested, as the case may be, in accordance with a participant's most recent instructions submitted on an Authorization Form. 30. WILL DIVIDENDS ON SHARES OF GENERAL MOTORS COMMON STOCKS WITHDRAWN FROM THE PLAN CONTINUE TO BE REINVESTED? If the participant has authorized "Full Dividend Reinvestment," cash dividends with respect to shares of General Motors Common Stocks withdrawn from a participant's account will continue to be reinvested. If, however, cash dividends with respect to only part of the shares of General Motors Common Stocks registered in a participant's name are being reinvested, the Plan Administrator will continue to reinvest dividends on only the percentage(s) of shares specified by the participant on the most recently processed Authorization Form received by the Plan Administrator unless a new Authorization Form specifying a different percentage of shares is delivered. - 19 - 31. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A PARTICIPANT SELLS OR TRANSFERS ALL OR A PORTION OF THE SHARES OF THE CORPORATION'S COMMON STOCKS REGISTERED IN THE PARTICIPANT'S NAME? Even if a participant disposes of all of the shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks registered in the participant's name, the Plan Administrator will continue to reinvest the dividends on the shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks that remain credited to the participant's account under the Plan, as the participant has so elected, until a written request for withdrawal from the Plan is received from the participant (see Question 34). If a participant who is reinvesting the cash dividends on part of the shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks registered in the participant's name disposes of a portion of such shares, the Plan Administrator will continue to reinvest the dividends on the remainder of such shares at the designated percentage(s) of shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks as originally specified in the participant's Authorization Form. 32. MAY SHARES OF THE CORPORATION'S COMMON STOCKS IN A PLAN ACCOUNT BE PLEDGED? Shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks credited to the account of a participant under the Plan may not be pledged. A participant who wishes to pledge such shares must withdraw such shares from the Plan by requesting stock certificates from the Plan Administrator (see Question 29). Any purported pledge or assignment of shares held under the Plan will not be recognized by the Plan Administrator. SAFEKEEPING-PUTTING ADDITIONAL STOCK CERTIFICATES IN CUSTODY 33. WILL THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR TAKE CUSTODY OF STOCK CERTIFICATES FOR THE CORPORATION'S COMMON STOCKS HELD BY A PARTICIPANT OUTSIDE THE PLAN? Participants who are record holders may add stock certificates for $1 2/3 par value common stock, Class E Common Stock and Class H Common Stock held outside the Plan to the shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock held in custody in a participant's Plan account by the Plan Administrator. This may be done by sending stock certificates with a letter of instruction to the Plan Administrator at the address specified in Question 3. Participants may deliver such certificates to the Plan Administrator along with the Authorization Form when enrolling in the Plan, or may do so at any time thereafter while participating in the Plan. Since mailing stock certificates will expose participants to the risk of loss, it is recommended that such certificates be sent by registered mail, return receipt requested, and properly insured. The stock certificates need not be endorsed. Dividends on additional shares placed in custody may be automatically reinvested in such manner as the participant may so elect (see Question 18). - 20 - 34. HOW MAY A PARTICIPANT WITHDRAW FROM AND CEASE PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN? A participant may withdraw from and cease participation in the Plan at any time by giving written notice to the Plan Administrator at the address specified in Question 3, which notice clearly indicates the participant's intention to terminate participation in the Plan. As soon as practicable following withdrawal, the Plan Administrator will send the participant at no charge stock certificates for the whole shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks in the participant's Plan account and a cash payment will be made for any fraction of a share of $1 2/3 par value common stock. If the participant so requests, the Plan Administrator will sell all or a portion of such whole shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks and remit the proceeds, less any related brokerage commissions, a $5.00 service charge for each class of the Corporation's Common Stocks sold, any applicable transfer taxes and any other related costs of the sale. Any such sale of whole shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks will be made by the Plan Administrator as promptly as possible after processing the request for withdrawal, but no later than five business days after receipt of such withdrawal request. The cash payment for any whole or fractional shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks will be based on the market price at which the Corporation's Common Stocks were sold by the Plan Administrator less any related brokerage commissions, a $5.00 service charge for each class of the Corporation's Common Stocks sold, any applicable transfer taxes and any other related costs of the sale. Federal backup withholding of 3l% may apply to any such cash payment from the Plan (see Question 36). The Plan Administrator cannot accept any kind of limit order to sell shares. If such withdrawal request is received by the Plan Administrator on or after the record date for a dividend payment, the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, may either pay any such dividend in cash or reinvest it in $1 2/3 par value common stock on behalf of the withdrawing participant. Any optional cash investments sent to the Plan Administrator prior to the request for withdrawal will also be invested in $1 2/3 par value common stock unless return of the amount is expressly stated by the participant in the written request for withdrawal and such withdrawal request is received at least two business days prior to the next Investment Date for optional cash investments. The request for withdrawal will then be processed as promptly as possible following such Investment Date. See Questions 9 and 14 for information concerning dividend record and payment dates and the Investment Dates for optional cash investments. A withdrawal request received after a record date may not be processed until after the investment is complete. After a participant ceases to participate in the Plan, all subsequent dividends will be paid to the participant in cash unless the participant re- enrolls in the Plan, which the participant may do at any time by submitting a signed and completed Authorization Form to the Plan Administrator (see Question 3). Beneficial owners reinvesting dividends indirectly in the Plan through brokers, banks or other nominees must contact their broker, bank or nominee regarding withdrawal from the Plan. - 21 - SALE OF SHARES IN PLAN ACCOUNTS 35. HOW MAY A PARTICIPANT SELL SHARES OF THE CORPORATION'S COMMON STOCKS HELD UNDER THE PLAN? A participant may sell shares held by the Plan Administrator in one of two ways. The participant may request that the Plan Administrator issue stock certificates for any or all of the shares held for the participant under the Plan and the participant may sell any or all of such shares through the participant's own broker at the time the participant chooses (see Question 29 for obtaining stock certificates). On the other hand, the participant may request that the Plan Administrator sell any or all of the shares held for the participant under the Plan (see Question 34). Shares the participant sells in this manner would be aggregated with those of other participants selling at the same time and would be sold by the Plan Administrator as soon as practicable after receipt of the request (see Question 34). A participant's sales proceeds would then be remitted to the participant by check, less a $5.00 service charge for each class of General Motors Common Stock sold plus the participant's proportionate share of the brokerage commissions incurred in effecting the sale, any applicable transfer taxes and any other related costs of the sale. Federal backup withholding of 3l% may apply to any such cash payments from the Plan (see Question 36). The Plan Administrator cannot accept any kind of limit order to sell shares. TAXATION 36. WHAT ARE THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN? (a) All participants are urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine the particular tax consequences, including consequences under applicable foreign, state and local tax laws, which may result from their participation in the Plan and the subsequent disposal by them of shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock purchased pursuant to the Plan. The income tax consequences for participants who do not reside in the United States will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The reinvestment of cash dividends does not relieve a participant of any income tax payable on such dividends. In general, the Corporation believes that stockholders who participate in the Plan will have the same Federal and state income tax consequences, with respect to dividends payable to them, as any other similarly situated holder of the Corporation's Common Stocks. A participant will be treated for Federal income tax purposes as having received, on each dividend payment date, a dividend equal to the full amount of the cash dividend payable with respect to the participant's shares, even though that amount is not actually received by the participant in cash but, instead, is applied to the purchase of additional shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock for the participant's account under the Plan. Each year a participant will receive from the Plan Administrator all required Internal Revenue Service Federal income tax statements which reflect the dividends paid on shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks registered in the participant's name and the dividends paid on the participant's credited shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks under the Plan (see Question 28). - 22 - (b) The Internal Revenue Service has ruled that administration fees paid by the Corporation on a participant's behalf are not subject to income taxes. The Internal Revenue Service has also ruled that when the Plan Administrator makes open market purchases of $1 2/3 par value common stock, the pro-rata share of brokerage fees attributable to such purchases will be included in the per-share price. The participant's tax basis for each share purchased under the Plan is the per-share price. (See Question 17 for determination of per-share price.) (c) The dividend income received by a corporate stockholder generally is eligible for a 70% dividends-received deduction if the shares are held for more than 45 days. However, the allowance of the dividends-received deduction is limited where the corporate stockholder incurs any debt which is directly attributable to an investment in such stock. Participants who are corporate stockholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of their participation in the Plan. (d) A foreign stockholder who is a participant and whose dividends are subject to United States income tax withholding will have the amount of the tax to be withheld deducted from such dividends before reinvestment in additional shares for such participant's Plan account. The statements confirming purchases made for a foreign participant will indicate that tax has been withheld. Foreign stockholders who are participants are advised to consult their own tax advisor with respect to the tax consequences of their participation in the Plan. If backup withholding applies, 31% of any such dividends or payments is currently required to be withheld. Exempt participants (including, among others, all corporations and certain foreign individuals) are not subject to backup withholding and reporting requirements. In order to qualify as exempt, a foreign individual must submit a statement attesting to that individual's exempt status. (e) A participant will not realize any taxable income upon receipt of a stock certificate for whole shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock acquired through the Plan. However, gain or loss may be recognized by a participant when whole shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock are sold, either by the Plan Administrator pursuant to the participant's request or by the participant after withdrawal of such shares from the Plan. The amount of such gain or loss will be the difference between the amount a participant receives for such shares and the participant's tax basis for such shares (generally the purchase cost thereof). In addition, a participant who received a cash payment for a fractional share credited to a participant's Plan account may have a gain or loss recognized with respect to the disposition of the fractional share. The Plan Administrator's statements of a participant's Plan account should be retained by the participant to help determine the tax basis of shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock acquired through the Plan. - 23 - OTHER INFORMATION 37. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE CORPORATION DECLARES A STOCK DIVIDEND, A STOCK SPLIT OR ISSUES SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS? Shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks resulting from stock splits or stock dividends with respect to shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks, both whole and fractional held by the Plan Administrator for a Plan participant, will be added to those Plan shares. Shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks resulting from stock splits or stock dividends with respect to shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks held outside the Plan will be mailed directly to a registered owner and to the broker, bank or other nominee of a beneficial owner. Participation in any rights offering will be based upon both the shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks held by a participant outside the Plan and whole shares held by a participant under the Plan. 38. HOW WILL SHARES OF THE CORPORATION'S COMMON STOCKS HELD IN A PARTICIPANT'S PLAN ACCOUNT BE VOTED AT MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS? For each meeting of stockholders, a participant will receive proxy material that will enable the participant to vote both the shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks registered in the participant's name directly and/or whole shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks credited to the participant's Plan account. Shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks held by the Plan Administrator under the Plan for a participant will be voted as the participant directs in a proxy card provided for that purpose. Fractions of a share, if any, will not be voted. Participants may also vote in person at a meeting of stockholders. 39. MAY THE PLAN BE AMENDED, SUSPENDED, MODIFIED OR TERMINATED? The Corporation reserves the right to interpret and regulate the Plan as it deems desirable or necessary. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, the Corporation reserves the right to amend, suspend, modify or terminate the Plan at any time, including the period between a record date and the related payment date. Notice of any such suspension, material modification or termination will be sent to all participants. Upon termination of the Plan, except in the circumstances described below, any uninvested optional cash investments will be returned, stock certificates for whole shares credited to each participant's Plan account will be issued and a cash payment will be made for any fractional share credited to each such account. In the event that the Corporation terminates the Plan for the purpose of establishing a successor dividend reinvestment plan, participants will be automatically enrolled in such successor plan and shares credited to their Plan accounts will be credited automatically to such other successor plan, unless written notice to the contrary is received by the Plan Administrator from a participant. - 24 - 40. WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CORPORATION AND THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR UNDER THE PLAN? Neither the Corporation nor the Plan Administrator nor their respective directors, officers or employees shall be liable in administering the Plan for any act done in good faith, or for any good faith omission to act, including, without limitation, any claims of liability: (1) arising out of failure to terminate the participant's Plan account upon such participant's death prior to receipt of notice in writing of such death; (2) with respect to the prices at which shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock are purchased or any of the shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks are sold for the participant's Plan account and the times when such purchases or sales are made; and (3) for any fluctuations in the market price after purchase of shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock or sale of any of the Corporation's Common Stocks under the Plan. Furthermore, if it appears to the Corporation that any participant is using or contemplating the use of the optional cash investment provisions of the Plan in a manner or with an effect that, in the sole judgment and discretion of the Corporation, is not in the best interests of the Corporation or its stockholders, then the Corporation may decline to issue all or any portion of the shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock for which any optional cash investment by or on behalf of such participant is tendered. Such optional cash investment (or the portion thereof not to be invested in shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock) will be returned by the Corporation as promptly as practicable, without interest. NEITHER THE CORPORATION NOR THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR CAN ASSURE A PARTICIPANT OF A PROFIT OR PROTECT A PARTICIPANT AGAINST A LOSS ON SHARES OF THE CORPORATION'S COMMON STOCKS PURCHASED OR SOLD UNDER THE PLAN. 41. WHO BEARS THE RISK OF MARKET FLUCTUATIONS IN THE CORPORATION'S COMMON STOCKS HELD IN THE PLAN? A participant's investment in the Plan held in the participant's Plan account is no different than investment in directly held shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks in this regard. A participant bears the risk of loss and the benefits of gain from market place changes with respect to all of the participant's shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks contained in the Plan (see Question 40). Neither the Corporation nor the Plan Administrator can guarantee that shares of $1 2/3 par value common stock purchased under the Plan will, at any given time, be worth any particular price, whether the same as, greater than or less than the purchase price paid therefor. 42. CAN THE CORPORATION OR THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR TERMINATE A PARTICIPANT'S PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN? The Corporation or the Plan Administrator may terminate any participant's participation in the Plan at any time for any reason (see Question 40). In addition, if a participant no longer owns shares outside the Plan and if the participant's Plan shares are less than one whole share, the Plan Administrator is authorized to terminate such participant's Plan account. In any such event, the Plan Administrator will follow the procedures for termination described in Question 34. - 25 - 43. HOW MAY A PARTICIPANT OBTAIN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS REGARDING THE PLAN OR THE PARTICIPANT'S PLAN ACCOUNT? General questions regarding the Plan or a participant's Plan account should be addressed to the Plan Administrator at the address and telephone number specified in Question 3. 44. HOW MAY A PARTICIPANT OBTAIN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS CONCERNING OBTAINING WAIVERS ON MAXIMUM PURCHASE LIMITATIONS? A participant may call the Plan Administrator at 1-800-331-9922 in order to obtain permission to invest amounts in excess of the maximum monthly purchase limitations for both reinvesting dividends and making optional cash investments (see Questions 20 and 23). 45. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PARTICIPANT UNDER THE PLAN? Shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks in the Plan are subject to escheat to the state in which a participant resides in the event that such shares are deemed, under such state's laws, to have been abandoned by a participant. A participant, therefore, should notify the Plan Administrator promptly in writing of any change of address. Account statements and other communications to a participant will be addressed to such participant at the last address of record provided by such participant to the Plan Administrator. A participant will have no right to instruct the Plan Administrator with respect to any shares of the Corporation's Common Stocks or cash held by the Plan Administrator except as expressly provided herein. 46. WHO MAY INTERPRET QUESTIONS ARISING UNDER THE PLAN? Any question of interpretation arising under the Plan will be determined by the Corporation and any such determination will be final. The Corporation and/or the Plan Administrator may adopt rules and regulations to facilitate the administration of the Plan. The terms and conditions of the Plan and its operation shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York. THE PLAN DOES NOT REPRESENT A CHANGE IN THE DIVIDEND POLICIES OF THE CORPORATION, WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO DEPEND ON EARNINGS, FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER FACTORS. STOCKHOLDERS WHO DO NOT WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PLAN WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE CASH DIVIDENDS, SO DECLARED, IN THE USUAL MANNER. LEGAL OPINION The legality of the $1 2/3 par value common stock offered hereby has been passed upon by Martin I. Darvick, Attorney, Legal Staff of General Motors. Mr. Darvick owns shares, and has options to purchase shares, of $1 2/3 par value common stock. - 26 - EXPERTS The consolidated financial statements and the financial statement schedule included in the 1994 Form 10-K, incorporated by reference herein, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP (as to financial statements and the financial statement schedule of General Motors and as to financial statements of Hughes Electronics Corporation) and KPMG Peat Marwick LLP (as to financial statements of Electronic Data Systems Corporation), independent auditors, as stated in their respective reports appearing therein, and have been so incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon such reports given upon the authority of such firms as experts in accounting and auditing. - 27 - -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----