Autoliv Buys German Licensee

(Stockholm, July 28, 2003) – – Autoliv Inc. (NYSE: ALV) – the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems – has agreed to buy the German seat belt company Protektor, which specializes in seat belts for niche markets, such as seat belts for buses, heavy trucks, forklifts, agricultural vehicles and other special-purpose vehicles. Autoliv is the world's largest supplier of seat belts for the original equipment market for passenger cars and other light vehicles. Protektor sells in 20 countries. Exports account for 35% of the com-pany's €10 million in turnover. "Protektor is a perfect bolt-on acquisition", said Autoliv President and CEO Lars Westerberg. "Its products are identical to ours, because Protektor produces seat belts under an Autoliv license. But Protektor focuses on other customers, which will give us additional sales. Protektor is working with low volumes of tailor-made belts for specialized customers, while Autoliv is servicing the global mass market. Because our businesses are so different, we will keep Protektor as a separate unit and maintain its brand name. In addition, we will merge our spare parts and niche market businesses into Protektor, thereby doubling the unit's sales and creating synergies", declared Westerberg. Protektor has more than 100 employees and facilities at Lübeck in northern Germany. The company was founded in 1983 by its current owner, Norbert Tandetzke. The company is certified according to ISO 9001, VDA 6.1 and QS 9000. Inquiries: Lars Westerberg, President and CEO, Autoliv Inc., Tel +46-8-58 72 06 00 Jens Eisfeld, Director Special Market & Service parts, Tel +49- 4121-797-245

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