Courtesy: GEM Chrysler Media Relations

BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT

Date August 07, 2002
Time 11:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Station BET
Location Network
Program BET Nightly News

JACQUE REID, anchor:

And supermodel Veronica Webb on the choice that cost her her dream home in
Key West. (Visual: Webb) (Graphic: "Ahead...on BET NIGHTLY NEWS")

* * *

REID: Plus, model Veronica Webb on the devastating fire that took her home
and her prized possession. (Graphic: Webb photos; "Coming Up on BET NIGHTLY
NEWS")

* * *
REID: Model Veronica Webb is known for her social consciousness, so you
might not be surprised to know that she would own an environmentally-correct
electric car. (Graphic: "Webb," Webb) But now it is believed that that
choice may have cost her her dream home and much more. BET's Enrique Correa
has her story.

ENRIQUE CORREA reporting:

Veronica Webb says her Chrysler Global Electric Motorcar, which is similar
to this one here, was being charged and the batteries overloaded, sending
flames through the air-conditioning system. (Graphic: Webb photos; GEM promo
photo)

Ms. VERONICA WEBB (Model/Actress): The fire investigators began to say that
the point of origin of the fire was in a Chrysler GEM Car that we had, an
electric car. And so the Fire Department began to tell us that they get a
lot of electric-car fires, a lot of golf-cart fires. (sic)

CORREA: Global Electric Motorcars is a division of DaimlerChrysler. The
company claims the electric car meets all federal standards, and they sent
BET NIGHTLY NEWS this statement. "The local fire marshall has not issued a
report. GEM's investigation into the cause and circumstances of the fire is
not yet complete. We believe that it's inappropriate to engage in
speculation, pending completion of all investigations." (Graphic: GEM promo
photos; "Global Electric Motorcars," "`the local Fire Marshall has not
issued a report. [sic] GEM's investigation into the cause and circumstances
of the fire is not yet complete...We believe it is inappropriate to engage
in speculation, pending completion of all investigations.,'" GEM
logo/symbol, car)

Webb, who is seven months pregnant, was not in her home when the fire
started, but her husband was. He managed to escape unharmed. (Visual: Webb)

Ms. WEBB: The alarm system didn't notify the Fire Department like it was
set-up to do, and so my husband was in the house with the house burning down
for over two hours before he woke up, you know, and it's really just God
moving in my life that he's still alive. (sic)

CORREA: Unfortunately, Webb's seven-year-old dachshund named Hercules, seen
here, did not survive. (Graphic: Webb holding dog)

Ms. WEBB: He was my dog. We did it all together. We did it all together, you
know, and they're loyal and they're sweet and they love you unconditionally.

CORREA: Webb says she will not file any lawsuit against the electric-car
company or the alarm company that installed the security system in her home.
(Visual: Webb)

Veronica Webb says the one reason why she's telling her story to the media
is she wants to let people know about the dangers of owning an electric car.
Webb says she also plans on rebuilding her home in Key West. In New York
City, I'm Enrique Correa reporting for BET NIGHTLY NEWS.

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