Wabash National Corporation Announces First Quarter Outlook And the Elimination of 500 Jobs

    LAFAYETTE, Ind., March 19 Wabash National Corporation
announced today that it will be eliminating approximately
500 jobs, including both hourly and salary positions, as part of a cost
reduction program to meet the widespread economic slowdown.  The Company also
announced that it will not meet analysts' earnings estimates for the first
quarter 2001 which it believes to be $0.03 to $0.10 per share.
    Wabash National Chairman, President & CEO, Jerry Ehrlich stated,
"Unfortunately, in this economic climate and like many companies across the
country, we are faced with decisions that are difficult to make.  Wabash
National has had a long history of being a steady employer in many
communities, however, under the current economic environment, we feel this
action is necessary as part of our continuing efforts to operate the business
effectively and profitably."
    As previously announced by the Company, its first quarter results will
include costs associated with its restructuring activities, including the exit
from manufacturing products for export outside the North American market,
international leasing and financing activities, and to a lessor degree, the
consolidation of certain domestic operations.  As a result of these ongoing
costs and continued weak freight demand affecting the purchasing activities of
the trucking industry, the Company expects to report a first quarter loss
substantially below the range of analyst expectations.  The cost reductions
from the restructuring activities and job eliminations are expected to
positively impact the Company's results during the second quarter.
    Wabash National Corporation designs, manufactures and markets standard and
customized truck trailers under the Wabash and Fruehauf trademarks.  The
Company believes it is the world's largest manufacturer of truck trailers, the
leading manufacturer of composite trailers and through its RoadRailer(R)
products, the leading manufacturer of bimodal vehicles.  The Company's wholly
owned subsidiary, Fruehauf Trailer Services, Inc., is one of the leading
retail distributors of new and used trailers and aftermarket parts, including
its Fruehauf and Pro-Par(R) brand products with approximately 45 locations
throughout the U.S. and Canada.

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, as defined
by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements
made about expected positive future effect of restructuring actions and first
quarter 2001 results.  The Company does not undertake a duty to update these
statements.  These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
implied by the forward-looking statements.  Without limitation, these risks
and uncertainties include increased competition, overall economic conditions
affecting purchasing in the trucking industry, dependence on key management,
reliance on certain customers and corporate partnerships, shortages of raw
materials, dependence on industry trends, export sales and new markets,
acceptance of new technology and products, and government regulation.  Readers
should review and consider the various disclosures made by the Company in this
press release and in its reports to its stockholders and periodic reports on
Forms 10-K and 10-Q.
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