MSC.Software Expands Asia-Pacific Reach

    China's Second-Largest Auto Group Forms Alliance with
    MSC.Software to Provide Industry Leading Computer-Aided
    Engineering Products to Auto Makers in China

    SANTA ANA, Calif. & SHANGHAI, China--June 20, 2001--MSC.Software Corp. , the established information technology software and services provider helping companies worldwide develop better products faster, today announced a deal with Shanghai Automotive Information Industry Investment Ltd. (SAIS), a division of Shanghai Auto Industry Group. Under the terms of the agreement, SAIS will become a reseller of industry-leading computer-aided engineering (CAE) software developed by MSC.Software to auto manufacturers in China, including divisions of General Motors and Volkswagen.
    Shanghai Automotive Industry Group is one of China's largest automotive manufacturing and holding companies, with approximately 80 companies within the corporation and 50 plants in the Shanghai area. Through its divisions, SAIS manufactures passenger cars, tractors, motorcycles, trucks, buses and automotive parts. The company participates in several manufacturing-related joint ventures in China including the Buick product line with General Motors and Volkswagen's Santana, which is the best-selling car in Shanghai.
    "MSC.Software has been an integral part of the design process for automotive manufacturers around the world for the last three decades," said Frank Perna, chairman and chief executive officer of MSC.Software. "We are always working to extend our reach into our core markets and this relationship with SAIS gives MSC.Software an excellent new channel to reach the growing Asia-Pacific market."
    "MSC.Software has a reputation for bringing the very best simulation products and services to the automotive market," said Zhang Chuanhon of Shanghai Auto Industry Group. "Our design engineers will now be able to benefit from cost reductions and reduced development time, which will help us be competitive in the market."
    The Chinese automotive market is one of the fastest growing industrial markets in China, with projected demand for vehicles rising from less than 2 million in 1999 to an estimated 6 million by 2010 (Trade Partners, U.K.). By utilizing MSC.Software's CAE products, including MSC.Nastran, MSC.Patran and MSC.Fatigue, manufacturers can realize significant time and cost savings during the design process, helping them bring reliable, high-quality automotive products to market faster while decreasing development costs.