Detailed Instructions: In this task, you are given two sentences in the English language (Sentence 1 and Sentence 2). Your task is to identify the connecting word between the two sentences.
Q: Sentence 1:The Opel vehicles sold in the 1960s and 1970s are exceptions to this rule because they were sold through the Buick distribution channel , while retaining the Opel brand name . Sentence 2:Thus , they are captive imports .
A:
thus