LONDON (Standard&Poor's) June 15, 2004--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today it lowered its short-term ratings on Netherlands-based car fleet management and leasing company LeasePlan Corporation N.V. (LeasePlan) to 'A-2' from 'A-1', including the short-term counterparty credit rating on the company. At the same time, Standard&Poor's removed the ratings from CreditWatch, where they were placed on April 22, 2004. The rating downgrade solely reflects today's downgrade of Volkswagen AG (VW; A-/Negative/A-2; see related media release entitled "Volkswagen AG and Subs Ratings Cut To 'A-/A-2' on Weakening Profitability; Outlook Negative", published today on RatingsDirect, Standard&Poor's Web-based credit analysis system). LeasePlan's shareholding is due to be transferred to VW and two long-term Gulf-based investors from ABN