U.S.$10,000,000,000

SmartNotes

Unless otherwise specified in an applicable pricing supplement, the SmartNotes will not be listed on any securities exchange, and there can be no assurance that the SmartNotes offered will be sold or that there will be a secondary market for the notes.

The agents have advised us that they may from time to time purchase and sell notes in the secondary market, but the agents are not obligated to do so. No termination date for the offering of the notes has been established.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

ABN AMRO FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

January 18, 2002

   You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying pricing supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information or to make any additional representations. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus.

   Unless the context indicates otherwise, the words “GMAC,” “we,” “ours,” and “us” refer to General Motors Acceptance Corporation.

PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THE OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE NOTES OFFERED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, INCLUDING OVER-ALLOTMENT, STABILIZING TRANSACTIONS, SHORT-COVERING TRANSACTIONS AND PENALTY BIDS. THESE TRANSACTIONS IF COMMENCED MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.

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SUMMARY

   You should read the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus or any accompanying pricing supplement or amendment.

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   If your notes are redeemable at our option, we may choose to redeem the notes at times when prevailing interest rates may be lower than the rate borne by the notes. Accordingly, you will not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an interest rate as high as that of the notes. If we have the right to redeem the notes from you, you should consider the related reinvestment risk in light of other investments available to you at the time of your investment in the notes.

   If the accompanying pricing supplement provides that we have the right to redeem the notes, our ability to redeem the notes at our option is likely to affect the market value of the notes. In particular, as the redemption date(s) approaches, the market value of your notes generally will not rise substantially above the redemption price because of the optional redemption feature.

   This prospectus does not describe all of the risks of an investment in the notes. You should consult your own financial, tax and legal advisors as to the risks entailed by your investment in the notes and the suitability to you of the notes in light of your particular circumstances.

   We are subject to the information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act and file reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports or other information we file at the SEC’s public reference rooms at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, as well as at the following Regional Offices of the SEC at Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511 and 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279. You may also request copies of these documents upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Room. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Reports and other information concerning GMAC can also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

   We have filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the notes. This prospectus, which constitutes part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement. Certain parts of the registration statement are omitted from the prospectus in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC.

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   The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information we file with them into this document, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents, including our annual, quarterly and current reports, that are considered part of this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information.

   This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that we previously filed with the SEC. These documents contain important information about us and our finances.

   Other documents incorporated by reference may be obtained through the SEC and are available from GMAC without charge. You may obtain documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus (other than exhibits to such prospectus) by writing or telephoning the office of G.E. Gross, Controller, at the following address and telephone number:

   We are a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Motors Corporation and were incorporated in 1997 under the Delaware General Corporation Law. On January 1, 1998, we merged with our predecessor which was originally incorporated in 1919 under the New York Banking Law relating to investment companies and assumed all of our predecessor’s assets, liabilities and obligations.

   Our principal executive offices are located at 200 Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan 48265-2000 (Tel. No. 313-665-5000).

   We compute the ratio of earnings to fixed charges by dividing earnings before income taxes and fixed charges by the fixed charges. This ratio includes our earnings and fixed charges and the earnings and fixed charges of our consolidated subsidiaries. Fixed charges consist of interest and discount and the portion of rentals for real and personal properties in an amount we deem to be representative of the interest factor.

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   We will add the net proceeds from the sale of the notes to our general funds and they will be available for the purchase of receivables, the making of loans or the repayment of debt. We may initially use the proceeds to reduce short-term borrowings or invest in short-term securities.

   The terms and conditions in this prospectus will apply to each note unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement and in the note. In the event of differences between the terms and conditions in this prospectus and the terms and conditions in the applicable pricing supplement, the latter shall govern.

General

   The notes will:

• designation,

• currency,

• Interest Payment Dates,

• rate of interest,

• Maturity Date, and

• redemption or repayment provisions,

may be represented by a single note. Your beneficial interest in a note will be shown on, and transfers of the note will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary or its participants. Payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any on notes represented by a global note will be made by us or our paying agent to the Depositary or its nominee. Unless otherwise

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   The principal amount of the notes will be payable at maturity at the Institutional Trust Office of JPMorgan Chase Bank, Institutional Trust Services, 450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10001, or at such other place as we may designate.

   Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement:

   The “Amortized Face Amount” of a Discount Note is the amount equal to:

   See also “United States Federal Taxation — Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders-Original Issue Discount Notes.”

   Unless otherwise specified in this prospectus, the pricing supplement relating to each note or notes will describe the following terms:

Glossary

   You should refer to the Indenture and the form of notes filed as exhibits to the registration statement to

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   “Business Day” with respect to any note means, unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that meets the following applicable requirement: such day is not a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to be closed in The City of New York;

   “Interest Payment Date” with respect to any note means a date (other than at Maturity) on which, under the terms of such note, regularly scheduled interest shall be payable;

   “Maturity” means the date on which the principal of a note or an installment of principal becomes due and payable in full in accordance with its terms and the terms of the Indenture, whether at its Maturity Date or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption at our option, repayment at your option, or otherwise; and

   “Maturity Date” with respect to any note means the date on which the note will mature, as specified thereon.

Book-Entry; Delivery and Form

   Upon issue, all notes having the same Issue Date, interest rate, if any, amortization schedule, if any, Maturity Date and other terms, if any, will be represented by one or more fully registered global notes (the “Global Notes”); provided, however, that no single Global Note will exceed $500,000,000. Each Global Note will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC or other depositary (DTC or such other depositary as is specified in the applicable pricing supplement is referred to as the “Depositary”) and registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTC’s nominee or any other depositary’s nominee as specified in the applicable pricing supplement. Beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be represented through book-entry accounts of financial institutions acting on behalf of beneficial owners as direct and indirect participants in DTC. Investors may elect to hold interests in the Global Notes through either DTC (in the United States) or Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, Luxembourg, formerly Cedelbank (“Clearstream”) or Euroclear Bank S.A./ NV, as operator of the Euroclear system (“Euroclear”) (in Europe) if they are participants of such systems directly, or indirectly through organizations which are participants in such systems. Clearstream and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in Clearstream’s and Euroclear’s names on the books of their respective depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers’ securities accounts in the depositaries’ names on the books of DTC. Citibank, N.A. will act as depositary for Clearstream and JPMorgan Chase Bank will act as depositary for Euroclear (in such capacities, the “U.S. Depositaries”). Except as set forth below, the Global Notes may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor of the Depositary or its nominee. Each such Global Note will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.

   The Depositary has advised as follows: it is a limited-purpose trust company which was created to hold securities for its participating organizations and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its participants. Participants include:

   Access to the Depositary’s system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust

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   The Depositary advises that pursuant to procedures established by it:

   The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities which they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the Global Note is limited to such extent.

   As long as the Depositary’s nominee is the registered owner of the Global Note, such nominee for all purposes will be considered the sole owner or holder of the notes under the Indenture. Except as provided below, you will not:

   Neither we, the Trustee, any Paying Agent nor the Depositary will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of the Global Note, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

   Except as otherwise set forth in a Pricing Supplement, principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on the notes registered in the name of the Depositary’s nominee will be made by the Trustee to the Depositary’s nominee as the registered owner of the Global Note. Under the terms of the Indenture, we and the Trustee will treat the persons in whose names the notes are registered as the owners of the notes for the purpose of receiving payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the notes and for all other purposes whatsoever. Therefore, we do not have, and neither the Trustee nor any Paying Agent has, any direct responsibility or liability for the payment of principal or interest on the notes to owners of beneficial interests in the Global Note. The Depositary has advised us and the Trustee that its present practice is, upon receipt of any payment of principal or interest, to immediately credit the accounts of the Participants with such payment in amounts proportionate to their respective holdings in principal amount of beneficial interests in the Global Note as shown on the records of the Depositary. Payments by participants and indirect participants to owners of beneficial interests in the Global Note will be the responsibility of such participants and indirect participants and will be governed by their standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name”.

   If the Depositary is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary and we have not appointed a successor depositary within 90 days, we will issue notes in definitive form in exchange for the Global Note. In addition, we may at any time determine not to have the notes represented by the Global Note and, in such event, will issue notes in definitive form in exchange for the Global Note. In either instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Note will be entitled to

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   Clearstream has advised that it is incorporated under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream holds securities for its participating organizations (“Clearstream Participants”). Clearstream facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream Participants, eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides to Clearstream Participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. As a professional depositary, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Sector (CSSF). Clearstream Participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream Participant, either directly or indirectly.

   Distributions, to the extend received by the U.S. Depositary for Clearstream, with respect to the notes held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream Participants in accordance with its rules and procedures.

   Euroclear advises that it was created in 1968 to hold securities for its participants (“Euroclear Participants”) and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear Participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear provides various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by Euroclear Bank S.A./ NV (the “Euroclear Operator”), under contract with Euroclear Clearance Systems S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation (the “Cooperative”). All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not the Cooperative. The Cooperative establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear Participants. Euroclear Participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may include the agents. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear Participant, either directly or indirectly.

   The Euroclear Operator has advised us that it is licensed by the Belgian Banking and Finance Commission to carry out banking activities on a global basis. As a Belgian bank, it is regulated and examined by the Belgian Banking Commission.

   Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian law (collectively, the “Terms and Conditions”). The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are

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   Distributions, to the extent received by the U.S. Depositary for Euroclear, with respect to notes held beneficially through Euroclear, will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear Participants in accordance with the Terms and Conditions. In the event definitive notes are issued, the holders thereof will be able to receive payments thereon and effect transfers thereof at the offices of a Luxembourg paying agent chosen by us.

   Individual certificates in respect of notes will not be issued in exchange for the Global Notes, except in very limited circumstances. If Euroclear, Clearstream or DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a clearing system in connection with a Global Note or, in the case of DTC only, DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and in each case we do not appoint a successor clearing system within 90 days after receiving such notice from Euroclear, Clearstream or DTC or on becoming aware that DTC is no longer so registered, we will issue or cause to be issued individual certificates in registered form on registration of, transfer of, or in exchange for, book-entry interests in the notes represented by the Global Note upon delivery of the Global Note for cancellation.

   Title to book-entry interests in the notes will pass by book-entry registration of the transfer within the records of Euroclear, Clearstream or DTC, as the case may be, in accordance with their respective procedures. Book-entry interests in the notes may be transferred within Euroclear and within Clearstream and between Euroclear and Clearstream in accordance with procedures established for these purposes by Euroclear and Clearstream. Book-entry interests in the notes may be transferred within DTC in accordance with procedures established for this purpose by DTC. Transfers of book-entry interests in the notes between Euroclear and Clearstream and DTC may be effected in accordance with procedures established for this purpose by Euroclear, Clearstream and DTC.

Global Clearance and Settlement Procedures

   Initial settlement for the notes will be made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC Participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with Depositary rules. Secondary market trading between Clearstream Participants and/or Euroclear Participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear and will be settled using the procedures applicable to conventional Eurobonds in immediately available funds.

   Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through the Depositary on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream or Euroclear Participants, on the other, will be effected in the Depositary in accordance with the Depositary rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by its U.S. Depositary. However, a cross-market transfer will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system, by the counterparty in such European international clearing system, in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its U.S. Depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving notes in the Depositary, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to the Depositary. Clearstream Participants and Euroclear Participants may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. Depositaries.

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   Because of time-zone differences, credits of notes received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC Participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the Depositary settlement date. Credits or any transactions of the type described above settled during subsequent securities settlement processing will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream Participants on the business day that the processing occurs. Cash received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of sales of notes by or through a Clearstream Participant or a Euroclear Participant to a DTC Participant will be received with value on the Depositary settlement date but will be available in the relevant Clearstream or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement in the Depositary.

   Although the Depositary, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of notes among participants of the Depositary, Clearstream and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform these procedures and such procedures may be changed or discontinued at any time.

Interest and Principal Payments

   We will pay you, as the owner of a beneficial interest in a note, in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary and the participant in effect from time to time as described under “Description of Notes — Book-Entry; Delivery and Form.” Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement:

   We will pay any administrative costs imposed by banks for payments in immediately available funds, but you will bear any tax, assessment or governmental charge imposed upon payments, including, without limitation, any withholding tax; except for certain Additional Amounts paid to non-United States persons (see “Description of Notes — Payment of Additional Amounts”).

   If a note, such as a Discount Note, is considered to be issued with original issue discount, you must include the discount in income for United States Federal income tax purposes at a constant rate, prior to your receiving the cash attributable to that income. See “United States Federal Taxation — Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders — Original Issue Discount Notes.” Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, if the principal of any Original Issue Discount Note is declared to be due and payable immediately as described under “Events of Default,” the amount of principal due and payable is limited to the aggregate principal amount of the note multiplied by the sum (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount) of its Issue Price plus the original issue discount amortized using the “interest method” (computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in effect on the date of declaration) from the Issue Date to the date of declaration. Special considerations applicable to the notes will be set forth in the applicable pricing supplement.

   Each note will bear interest from and including its Issue Date at the rate per annum set forth on the note and in the applicable pricing supplement until we pay

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   Any payment of principal, and premium, if any, or interest required to be made on a note on a day which is not a Business Day need not be made on such day, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such day, and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of such delayed payment. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, any interest on the notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The interest rates that we will agree to pay on newly-issued notes are subject to change without notice by us from time to time, but no such change will affect any notes already issued or as to which an offer to purchase has been accepted by us.

   The Interest Payment Dates for a note that provides for interest payments are as follows:

   The Regular Record Date with respect to any Interest Payment Date shall be the first day of the calendar month in which the Interest Payment Date occurs, except that the Regular Record Date with respect to the final Interest Payment Date is the final Interest Payment Date.

   Each payment of interest on a note includes accrued interest from and including the Issue Date or from and including the last day in respect of which interest has been paid (or duly provided for) to, but excluding, the Interest Payment Date or Maturity Date.

Discount Notes

   We may issue notes at an Issue Price that is significantly less than their principal amount. We refer to such notes as Discount Notes. Such Discount Notes may currently pay no interest or interest which at the time of issuance is below market rates. Certain additional considerations relating to Discount Notes will be

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Redemption and Repayment

   Unless otherwise provided in the applicable pricing supplement:

   If applicable, the pricing supplement relating to each note will indicate that the note will be redeemable at our option or repayable at your option on a date or dates specified prior to its Maturity Date and, unless otherwise specified in the pricing supplement, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the note, together with accrued interest to the date of redemption or repayment, unless such note was issued with original issue discount, in which case the pricing supplement will specify the amount payable upon such redemption or repayment.

   We may redeem any of the notes that are redeemable and remain outstanding either in whole or from time to time in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice.

   Exercise of your repayment option is irrevocable. With respect to the notes, the Depositary’s nominee is the holder of the notes and therefore will be the only entity that can exercise a right to repayment. See “Description of Notes — Book-Entry; Delivery and Form.” In order to ensure that the Depositary’s nominee will timely exercise a right to repayment with respect to your beneficial interest in a note, you, as the beneficial owner of the interest, must instruct the broker or other direct or indirect participant through which you hold a beneficial interest in the note to notify the Depositary of your desire to exercise a right to repayment. Different firms have different cut-off times for accepting instructions from their customers and, accordingly, you should consult the broker or other direct or indirect participant through which you hold an interest in a note in order to ascertain the cut-off time by which you must give an instruction in order for timely notice to be delivered to the Depositary. Conveyance of notices and other communications by the Depositary to participants, by participants to indirect participants and by participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners of the notes will be governed by agreements among you and them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

   If applicable, we will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with any repurchase.

   We may at any time purchase notes (including those otherwise tendered for repayment by you, or your duly authorized representative, pursuant to the Survivor’s Option, see “Repayment Upon Death” below), at any price or prices in the open market or otherwise. Notes purchased by us may, at our discretion, be held or resold or surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Repayment Upon Death

   The pricing supplement relating to any note will indicate whether the holder of the note will have the

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   Pursuant to exercise of the Survivor’s Option, if applicable, we will, at our option, either repay or purchase any note (or portion thereof) properly tendered for repayment by or on behalf of the person (the “Representative”) that has authority to act on behalf of the deceased owner of the beneficial interest in the note under the laws of the appropriate jurisdiction (including, without limitation, the personal representative, executor, surviving joint tenant or surviving tenant by the entirety of such deceased beneficial owner) at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the beneficial interest of the deceased owner in the note plus accrued interest to the date of such repayment (or at a price equal to the Amortized Face Amount for Original Issue Discount Notes and Zero-Coupon Notes on the date of such repayment), subject to the following limitations. We may, in our sole discretion, limit the aggregate principal amount of notes as to which exercises of the Survivor’s Option will be accepted in any calendar year (the “Annual Put Limitation”) to one percent (1%) of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the notes as of the end of the most recent fiscal year, but not less than $1,000,000 in any such calendar year, or such greater amount as GMAC in its sole discretion may determine for any calendar year, and may limit to $200,000, or such greater amount as we in our sole discretion may determine for any calendar year, the aggregate principal amount of notes (or portions thereof) as to which exercise of the Survivor’s Option will be accepted in the calendar year with respect to any individual deceased owner or beneficial interests in the notes (the “Individual Put Limitation”). Moreover, we will not make principal repayments or purchases pursuant to exercise of the Survivor’s Option in amounts that are less than $1,000, and, in the event that the limitations described in the preceding sentence would result in the partial repayment or purchase of any note, the principal amount of such note remaining outstanding after repayment must be at least $1,000 (the minimum authorized denomination of the notes). Any note (or portion thereof) tendered pursuant to exercise of the Survivor’s Option may not be withdrawn.

   Each note (or portion of a note) that is tendered pursuant to valid exercise of the Survivor’s Option will be accepted promptly in the order all the notes are tendered, except for any note (or portion of a note) the acceptance of which would contravene (i) the Annual Put Limitation or (ii) the Individual Put Limitation with respect to the relevant individual deceased owner of beneficial interests. If, as of the end of any calendar year, the aggregate principal amount of notes (or portions of a note) that have been accepted pursuant to exercise of the Survivor’s Option during such year has not exceeded the Annual Put Limitation for the year, any exercise(s) of the Survivor’s Option with respect to notes (or portions of a note) not accepted during the calendar year because acceptance would have contravened the Individual Put Limitation with respect to an individual deceased owner of beneficial interests will be accepted in the order all notes (or portions of a note) were tendered, to the extent that any such exercise would not trigger the Annual Put Limitation for the calendar year. Any note (or portion of a note) accepted for repayment pursuant to exercise of the Survivor’s Option will be repaid no later than the first Interest Payment Date that occurs 20 or more calendar days after the date of acceptance. Each note (or any portion of a note) tendered for repayment that is not accepted in any calendar year due to the Annual Put Limitation, including notes that exceeded the Individual Put Limitation, will be deemed to be tendered in the following calendar year in the order in which all notes (or portions of a note) were originally tendered, unless any note (or portion of a note) is withdrawn by the Representative for the deceased owner prior to its repayment. In the event that a note (or any portion of a

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   Subject to the foregoing, in order for a Survivor’s Option to be validly exercised with respect to any note (or portion thereof), the Trustee must receive from the Representative of the deceased owner:

   Subject to our right to limit the aggregate principal amount of notes as to which exercises of the Survivor’s Option will be accepted in any one calendar year, all questions as to the eligibility or validity of any exercise of the Survivor’s Option will be determined by the Trustee, in its sole discretion, which determination will be final and binding on all parties.

   The death of a person owning a note in joint tenancy or tenancy by the entirety with another or others will be deemed the death of the holder of the note, and the entire principal amount of the note so held will be subject to repayment, together with interest accrued thereon to the repayment date. The death of a person owning a note by tenancy in common will be deemed the death of a holder of a note only with respect to the deceased holder’s interest in the note so held by tenancy in common; except that in the event a note is held by husband and wife as tenants in common, the death of either will be deemed the death of the holder of the note, and the entire principal amount of the note so held will be subject to repayment. The death of a person who, during his or her lifetime, was entitled to substantially all of the beneficial interests of ownership of a note, will be deemed the death of the holder thereof for purposes of this provision, regardless of the registered holder, if such beneficial interest can be established to the satisfaction of the Trustee. Such beneficial interest will be deemed to exist in typical cases of nominee ownership, ownership under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act, community property or other joint ownership arrangements between a husband and wife and trust arrangements where one person has substantially all of the beneficial ownership interest in the note during his or her lifetime.

   In the case of repayment pursuant to the exercise of the Survivor’s Option, for notes represented by a Global Note, the Depositary or its nominee will be the holder of the note and will be the only entity that can exercise the Survivor’s Option for the note. To obtain repayment pursuant to exercise of the Survivor’s Option with respect to the note, the Representative must provide to the broker or other entity through which the beneficial interest in the note is held by the deceased owner:

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   Such broker or other entity will provide to the Trustee:

   The broker or other entity will be responsible for disbursing any payments it receives pursuant to exercise of the Survivor’s Option to the appropriate Representative. See “Description of Notes — Book-Entry; Delivery and Form.”

   A Representative may obtain the forms used to exercise the Survivor’s Option from JPMorgan Chase Bank, Mortgage Banking Custody Services, 1111 Fannin, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77002, Attn: Cassandra Fields, Assistant Vice President, or call (713) 427-6425, during normal business hours.

Eligibility for Stripping

   Certain issues of notes designated by us (the “Eligible Notes”) will be eligible to be separated (“stripped”) into their separate Interest Components and Principal Components (each as defined below) on the book-entry system of DTC. The components of an Eligible Note are:

   An issue of notes that DTC is capable of stripping on its book-entry records may be designated by us as eligible to be stripped into Components at the time of original issuance of such notes. We are under no obligation, however, to designate any issue of notes as eligible to be stripped into Components.

   For an Eligible note to be stripped into Components, the principal amount of the Eligible Note must be in an amount that, based on the stated interest rate of the Eligible Note, will produce an interest payment of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof on each Interest Payment Date for the note.

   In some cases, certain Interest Components of two or more issues of notes may be due on the same day. Such Interest Components may have the same or different CUSIP numbers. We expect that most Interest Components due on the same day (regardless of note issue) will have the same CUSIP number. However, we may designate Interest Components from an issue of notes to receive CUSIP numbers different than the CUSIP numbers of Interest Components due on the same day from one or more other issues of notes. We also may designate at any time that any or all Interest Components of issues of notes originally issued on or after a specified time will have CUSIP numbers different than Interest Components of issues of notes originally issued prior to that time.

   The Components may be maintained and transferred on the book-entry system of DTC in integral multiples of $1,000. Payments on Components will be made in U.S. dollars on the applicable payment dates (or the succeeding Business Day if payment on the related note is made on such succeeding Business Day

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   If any modification, amendment or supplement of the terms of an issue of notes requires any consent of holders of notes, the consent with respect to notes that have been stripped is to be provided by the required percentage of the holders of Principal Components. See “Modification of the Indenture.” Holders of Interest Components will have no right to give or withhold such consent.

   Currently, at the request of a holder of a Principal Component and all applicable unmatured Interest Components and on the Component holder’s payment of a fee (presently DTC’s fee applicable to on-line book-entry securities transfers), DTC will restore (“reconstitute”) the Principal Components of a stripped note and the applicable unmatured Interest Components (all in appropriate amounts) to the note in fully constituted form. Generally, for purposes of reconstituting a note, the Principal Component of an issue of notes may be combined with either Interest Components of such issue or Interest Components, if any, from other issues of notes that have the same CUSIP numbers as the unmatured Interest Components of such issue. Component holders wishing to reconstitute Components into a note also must comply with all applicable requirements and procedures of DTC relating to the stripping and reconstitution of securities.

   The preceding discussion is based on our understanding of the manner in which DTC currently strips and reconstitutes eligible securities on the Fed Book-Entry System. DTC may cease stripping or reconstituting Eligible Notes or may change the manner in which this is done or the requirements, procedures or charges therefor at any time without notice.

Payment of Additional Amounts

   We will pay to the holder of any note who is a United States Alien (as defined below) such additional amounts (the “Additional Amounts”) as may be necessary in order that every net payment in respect of the principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on such note, after deduction or withholding by us or any Paying Agent for or on account of any present or future tax, assessment or governmental charge imposed upon or as a result of such payment by the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, will not be less than the amount provided for in the note to be then due and payable before any such deduction or withholding for or on account of any such tax, assessment or governmental charge; provided, however, that the foregoing obligation to pay Additional Amounts shall not apply to:

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   The term “United States Alien” means any person who, for United States Federal income tax purposes, is a foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual, non-resident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust or a foreign partnership, one or more of the members of which is a foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual or a non-resident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust.

   Any reference in this prospectus or any applicable pricing supplement to principal or interest or both in respect of the notes will include:

   The notes are subject in all cases to any tax, fiscal or other law or regulation or administrative or judicial

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   As used under this heading “Payment of Additional Amounts” and under the headings “Description of Notes — Redemption for Tax Reasons” and “United States Federal Taxation — Tax Consequences to Non-United States Persons,” the term “United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia) and its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

Redemption for Tax Reasons

   If, as a result of:

there is, in such case, in the written opinion of independent legal counsel of recognized standing to us, a material increase in the probability that we have or may become obligated to pay Additional Amounts (as described above under “Description of Notes — Payment of Additional Amounts”), and we, in our business judgment, determine that such obligation cannot be avoided by the use of reasonable measures available to us, not including assignment of the notes, the notes may be redeemed, as a whole but not in part, at our option at any time thereafter, upon notice to the Trustee and the holders of the notes in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed together with accrued interest thereon to the date fixed for redemption.

General

   In the opinion of our tax counsel, the following general summary describes the material United States Federal income and estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the notes. This summary provides general information only and is directed solely to you as an original holder purchasing notes at the “issue price” (as defined below) and holding the notes as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). It does not discuss all United States Federal income tax consequences that may be applicable to you. In particular, if you are a:

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you may be subject to special rules. In addition, the United States Federal income tax consequences of a particular note will depend, in part, on the terms of the note.

   We advise you to consult your own tax advisors with regard to the application of the United States Federal income and estate tax laws to your particular situation and any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or foreign tax jurisdiction.

   This summary is based on the Code, United States Treasury Regulations (including proposed and temporary regulations) promulgated under the Code, rulings, official pronouncements and judicial decisions as of the date of this prospectus. You should know that the authorities on which this summary is based are subject to change or differing interpretations, which could apply retroactively, and could result in United States Federal income tax consequences for you different from those discussed below.

Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders

   For purposes of the following discussion, “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a note that is for United States Federal income tax purposes:

   The term U.S. Holder also includes certain former citizens of the United States.

   Interest on a note will generally be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary interest income at the time it is accrued or is received in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s method of accounting for Federal income tax purposes.

   All payments of interest on a note that matures one year or less from its date of issuance will be included in the stated redemption price at the maturity of the note and will be taxed in the manner described below under “Original Issue Discount Notes”.

   Special rules governing the treatment of interest paid with respect to Original Issue Discount Notes (as defined below) are described under “Original Issue Discount Notes” below.

   The following summary is generally based upon the Treasury Regulations concerning the treatment of debt instruments issued with original issue discount (“Original Issue Discount Notes”) (the “OID Regulations”). Under the OID Regulations, a note that has an “issue price” that is less than its stated redemption price at maturity will generally be considered to have been issued at an original issue discount. The “issue price” of a note is equal to the first price to the public (not including bond houses, brokers or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers) at which a substantial amount of the notes is sold for money. The stated

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   Notwithstanding the general definition of original issue discount above, a note will not be considered to have been issued with an original issue discount if the amount of such original issue discount is less than a de minimis amount generally equal to 0.25% of the stated redemption price at maturity multiplied by the number of complete years to maturity. Holders of notes with less than a de minimis amount of original issue discount will generally include such original issue discount in income, as capital gain, on a pro rata basis as principal payments are made on the note.

   A U.S. Holder of an Original Issue Discount Note (other than certain U.S. Holders of Short-Term Original Issue Discount Notes, as defined below) will be required to include qualified stated interest in income at the time it is received or accrued in accordance with such U.S. Holder’s method of accounting.

   A U.S. Holder of an Original Issue Discount Note that matures more than one year from its date of issuance will be required to include original issue discount in income as it accrues, in accordance with a constant yield method based on a compounding of interest, before the receipt of cash payments attributable to such income. The amount of original issue discount includible in income is equal to the sum of the “daily portions” of the original issue discount for each day during the taxable year on which the U.S. Holder held such note. The “daily portion” is the original issue discount for the “accrual period” that is allocated ratably to each day in the accrual period. The original issue discount for an accrual period is equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the product of the “adjusted issue price” of an Original Issue Discount Note at the beginning of such accrual period and its “yield to maturity” over (b) the amount of any qualified stated interest allocable to the accrual period. The “accrual period” is any period not to exceed one year provided that each payment of principal or interest occurs either on the first or the final day of the accrual period. We will specify the accrual period we intend to use in the applicable pricing supplement but a U.S. Holder is not required to use the same accrual period for purposes of determining the amount of original issue discount includible in its income for a taxable year. The adjusted issue price of a note at the beginning of an accrual period is equal to the issue price of the note, increased by the aggregate amount of original issue discount with respect to the note that accrued in prior accrual periods and was previously includible in the income of a U.S. Holder, and reduced by the amount of any payments on the note in prior accrual periods other than payments of qualified stated interest. Under these rules, U.S. Holders generally will have to include in income increasingly greater amounts of original issue discount in successive accrual periods.

   Under the OID Regulations, a U.S. Holder may make an election (the “Constant Yield Election”) to include in gross income all interest that accrues on a note (including stated interest, original issue discount and de minimis original issue discount) in accordance with a constant yield method based on the compounding of interest. Special rules apply to such election and U.S. Holders considering such an election should consult their own tax advisors.

   In general, a cash method U.S. Holder of an Original Issue Discount Note that matures one year or less from its date of issuance (a “Short-Term Original Issue Discount Note”) is not required to accrue original issue discount on the note for United States Federal income tax purposes unless it elects to do so. U.S. Holders who make such an election, U.S. Holders who report income for United States Federal income tax purposes on the accrual method and certain other

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   We may have the option to redeem certain notes prior to the Maturity Date, or a U.S. Holder may have the option to require the notes to be repaid prior to the Maturity Date (e.g., notes with a Survivor’s Option). Notes containing such features may be subject to rules that differ from the general rules discussed above. U.S. Holders intending to purchase notes with any such features should carefully examine the applicable pricing supplement and should consult with their own tax advisors with respect to such features.

   If a U.S. Holder purchases a note for an amount that is greater than the stated redemption price at maturity, the holder will be considered to have purchased the note with “amortizable bond premium” equal in amount to such excess. A U.S. Holder may elect (in accordance with applicable Code provisions) to amortize such premium over the remaining term of the note (where the note is not callable prior to its Maturity Date), based on the U.S. Holder’s yield to maturity with respect to the note. A U.S. Holder may generally use the amortizable bond premium allocable to an accrual period to offset qualified stated interest required to be included in the U.S. Holder’s income with respect to the note in that accrual period. If the amortizable bond premium allocable to an accrual period exceeds the amount of qualified stated interest allocable to such accrual period, such excess would be allowed as a deduction for such accrual period, but only to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s prior interest inclusions on the note. Any excess is generally carried forward and allocable to the next accrual period. If the note may be called prior to maturity after the U.S. Holder has acquired it, the amount of amortizable bond premium is determined with reference to either the amount payable on maturity or, if it results in a smaller premium attributable to the period through the earlier call date, with reference to the amount payable on the earlier call date. A U.S. Holder who elects to amortize bond premium must reduce his tax basis in the note as described under “Sale, Exchange or Redemption of the notes” below. An election to amortize bond premium applies to all taxable debt obligations held by the U.S. Holder at the beginning of the first taxable year to which the election applies and thereafter acquired by the U.S. Holder and may be revoked only with the consent of the Internal Revenue Service. If a holder makes a Constant Yield Election for a note with amortizable bond premium, the election will result in a deemed election to amortize bond premium for all of the holder’s debt instruments with amortizable bond premium and may be revoked only with the permission of the Internal Revenue Service.

   Upon the sale, exchange or redemption of a note, a U.S. Holder will recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange or redemption (other than amounts representing interest which will be treated as interest as described under “Payments of Interest” above) and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the note. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in a note will generally be the U.S. dollar cost of the note to the U.S. Holder, increased by the amount of any original issue discount

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   In general, gain or loss realized on the sale, exchange or redemption of a note will be capital gain or loss (except in the case of a Short-Term Original Issue Discount Note, to the extent of any original issue discount not previously included in such U.S. Holder’s taxable income. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the treatment of capital gains (which may be taxed at lower rates than ordinary income for taxpayers who are individuals, trusts or estates) and losses (the deductibility of which is subject to limitations).

   If a U.S. Holder disposes of only a portion of a note pursuant to a redemption or repayment (including the Survivor’s Option, if applicable), such disposition will be treated as a pro rata prepayment in retirement of a portion of a debt instrument. Generally, the resulting gain or loss would be calculated by assuming that the original note being tendered consists of two instruments, one that is retired (or repaid), and one that remains outstanding. The adjusted issue price, the U.S. Holder’s adjusted basis, and the accrued but unpaid original issue discount of the original note, determined immediately before the disposition, would be allocated between these two instruments based on the portion of the instrument that is treated as retired by the pro rata prepayment.

   The United States Federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder of the ownership and disposition of notes that are stripped into their separate Interest Components and Principal Components will be summarized in the applicable pricing supplement.

   Backup withholding and information reporting requirements may apply to certain payments of principal, premium and interest (including original issue discount) on a note, and to payments of proceeds of the sale or redemption of a note, to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders. We, our agent, a broker, the relevant Trustee or any paying agent, as the case may be, will be required to withhold a tax equal to 30.5 percent or other rate provided under Section 3406(a)(i) of the Code (the backup withholding tax) from any such payment if the U.S. Holder fails to furnish or certify his correct taxpayer identification number (social security number or employer identification number) to the payor in the manner required, fails to certify that such U.S. Holder is exempt from backup withholding, or otherwise fails to comply with the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a U.S. Holder may be credited against such holder’s United States Federal income tax and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Tax Consequences to Non-United States Persons

   As used herein, the term “non-United States person” means a beneficial owner of a note that is, for United States Federal income tax purposes:

   Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below:

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provided that in each such case, the relevant certification or IRS Form is delivered pursuant to applicable procedures and is properly transmitted to the person otherwise required to withhold United States Federal income tax, and none of the persons receiving the relevant certification or IRS Form has actual knowledge that the certification or any statement on the IRS Form is false;

   If a non-United States person holding a note is engaged in a trade or business in the United States, and if interest (including original issue discount, if any) on the note (or gain realized on its sale, exchange or other disposition) is effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business, such holder, although exempt from the withholding tax discussed in the preceding paragraphs, will generally be subject to regular United States income tax on such effectively connected income in the same manner as if it were a U.S. Holder (see “Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders” above). Such a holder may also need to

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   Each holder of a note should be aware that if it does not properly provide the required IRS form, or if the IRS form (or, if permissible, a copy of such form) is not properly transmitted to and received by the United States person otherwise required to withhold United States Federal income tax, interest on the note may be subject to United States withholding tax at a 30% rate and the holder will not be entitled to any additional amounts from the Company described under the heading “Description of Notes — Payment of Additional Amounts” with respect to such tax. Such tax, however, may in certain circumstances be allowed as a refund or as a credit against such holder’s United States Federal income tax. The foregoing does not deal with all aspects of Federal income withholding tax that may be relevant to non-U.S. persons holding the notes. Potential investors are advised to consult their own tax advisors for specific advice concerning the ownership and disposition of notes.

   Information returns will be filed with the United States Internal Revenue Service in connection with payments on the notes and the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of the notes. You may be subject to a United States backup withholding tax on these payments unless you comply with certification procedures to establish that you are not a United States person for United States Federal income tax purposes. The certification procedures required to claim the exemption from withholding tax on interest and original issue discount described above will satisfy the certification requirements necessary to avoid the backup withholding tax, provided that we or our paying agent, as the case may be, do not have actual knowledge that the payee is a United States person for United States Federal income tax purposes. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to you will be allowed as a credit against your United States Federal income tax liability and may entitle you to a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

   We have described below the only financial covenant applicable to the notes. That covenant requires that the notes be equally and ratably secured in the specified circumstances but has no special application merely by virtue of any transaction or series of transactions resulting in material changes in our debt-to-equity ratio.

   The notes are not secured by mortgage, pledge or other lien.

   We will covenant in the notes that so long as any of the notes remain outstanding, we will not pledge or otherwise subject our property or assets to any lien unless the notes are secured by such pledge or lien equally and ratably with any and all other obligations and indebtedness secured thereby so long as any such other obligations and indebtedness shall be so secured. This covenant does not apply to:

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   The Indenture contains provisions permitting us and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of the notes at the time outstanding under the Indenture, to modify the Indenture or any supplemental indenture or the rights of the holders of the notes provided that no such modification shall:

   An Event of Default with respect to the notes is defined in the Indenture as being:

   In case an Event of Default occurs and continues with respect to the notes, the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding may declare the principal amount of the notes due and payable. Any Event of Default with respect to the notes may be waived by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes except in a case of failure to pay principal of or interest on the notes for which payment had not been made after the appropriate notice. We

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   Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the Trustee, if an Event of Default occurs and continues, the Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any rights or powers under the Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the noteholders, unless such noteholders have offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security.

   Subject to provisions for the indemnification of the Trustee and to other limitations, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes at the time outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank is the Trustee under the Indenture. JPMorgan Chase Bank acts as issuing and paying agent for our commercial paper program, makes loans to, acts as trustee and performs certain other services for, us and certain of our affiliates in the normal course of business. As trustee of various trusts, it has purchased our securities and securities of certain of our affiliates.

   We shall maintain one or more Paying Agents for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on, the notes. We have initially appointed JPMorgan Chase Bank as our Paying Agent for the notes.

   Under the terms of the Selling Agent Agreement dated as of January 18, 2002, we are offering the notes from time to time through ABN AMRO Financial Services, Inc., A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc., Edward Jones & Co., L.P., Fidelity Capital Markets, a division of National Financial Services LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Prudential Securities, Salomon Smith Barney, Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. and UBS PaineWebber Inc. who have agreed to use their reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases of the notes. We may also appoint additional agents to solicit sales of the notes and any solicitation and sale of the notes by such additional agents will be substantially on the same terms and conditions to which the agents have agreed. We will pay the agents a gross selling concession to be divided among themselves as we shall agree. The concession will be payable to the Purchasing Agent in the form of a discount ranging from .20% to 2.50% of the non-discounted price for each note sold. We will have the sole right to accept offers to purchase notes and may reject any proposed purchase of notes in whole or in part. Each agent will have the right, in its reasonable discretion, to reject any proposed purchase in whole or in part. We can withdraw, cancel or modify the offer without notice.

   In addition, we may sell notes directly on our own behalf.

   Following the solicitation of orders, the agents, severally and not jointly, may purchase notes from us through the Purchasing Agent as principal for their own accounts. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable pricing supplement, the notes will be resold to one or more investors and other purchasers at a fixed public offering price. In addition, the agents may offer the notes they have purchased as principal to other NASD dealers in good standing. The agents may sell notes to any such dealer at a discount and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, such discount allowed to any dealer will not, during the distribution of the notes, be in excess of the discount to be received by such agent from the Purchase Agent. The Purchase Agent may sell notes to any such dealer at a discount not in excess of the discount it received from us. After the initial public

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   Each agent may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act. We have agreed to indemnify the agents against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

   The notes may be offered for sale in the United States and in those jurisdictions where it is legal to make such offers. Only offers and sales of the notes in the United States, as part of the initial distribution thereof or in connection with resales thereof under circumstances where the prospectus and the accompanying pricing supplement must be delivered, are made pursuant to the registration statement of which the prospectus, as supplemented by any pricing supplement, is a part.

   Each agent has represented and agreed that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations in force in any jurisdiction in which it purchases, offers or sells the notes or possesses or distributes this prospectus or the accompanying pricing supplement and will obtain any consent, approval or permission required by it for the purchase, offer or sale by it of the notes under the laws and regulations in force in any jurisdiction to which it is subject or in which it makes such purchases, offers or sales and neither we nor any other agent will have responsibility.

   Purchasers of the notes may be required to pay stamp taxes and other charges in accordance with the laws and practices of the country of purchase in addition to the Issue Price set forth in any pricing supplement hereto.

   The notes will not have an established trading market when issued. We do not intend to apply for the listing of the notes on any securities exchange in the United States, but have been advised by the agents that the agents intend to make a market in the notes as permitted by applicable laws and regulations. The agents may make a market in the notes but are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making at any time without notice. We can not assure you as to the liquidity of any trading market for any notes. All secondary trading in the notes will settle in immediately available funds. See “Description of Notes — Global Clearance and Settlement Procedures.”

   Application may be made to list notes on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and on such other or additional stock exchanges on which the Purchasing Agent agrees with us with respect to an issue. If such notes are listed on a stock exchange, it will be specified in the applicable pricing supplement.

   In connection with an offering of the notes, the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission permit the Purchasing Agent to engage in certain transactions that stabilize the price of the notes. Such transactions may consist of bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the notes. If the Purchasing Agent creates a short position in the notes in connection with an offering of the notes (i.e., if it sells a larger principal amount of the notes than is set forth on the cover page of the applicable pricing supplement), the Purchasing Agent may reduce that short position by purchasing notes in the open market. In general, purchases of a security for the purpose of stabilization or to reduce a syndicate short position could cause the price of the security to be higher than it might otherwise be in the absence of such purchases. The Purchasing Agent makes no representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the notes. In addition, the Purchasing Agent makes no representation that, once commenced, such transactions will not be discontinued without notice.

   E. Stanley O’Neal, a director of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., of which Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &

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   The validity of the notes offered in this prospectus will be passed upon for GMAC by Martin I. Darvick, Esq., Assistant General Counsel of GMAC, and for the agents by Davis Polk & Wardwell. Mr. Darvick owns shares of General Motors Corporation $1 2/3 par value common stock and Class H common stock, $0.10 par value, and holds options to purchase shares of General Motors Corporation $1 2/3 par value common stock. Davis Polk & Wardwell acts as counsel to the Executive Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of General Motors Corporation and has acted as counsel to us and to certain of our affiliates in various matters.

   The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from General Motors Acceptance Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report, which is incorporated in this prospectus by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

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