American Axle & Manufacturing is Providing Driveline Systems For the New 2003 HUMMER H2

DETROIT, June 13 American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM), which is traded as AXL on the NYSE, announced today that it has launched production of new driveline systems for the HUMMER H2. The H2 will incorporate the latest systems technology developed at AAM's Technical Center in Rochester Hills, Mich.

AAM is producing front and rear axle assemblies and driveshafts for the exciting new H2 sport utility vehicle. The entire driveline system will incorporate unique AAM technologies that provide enhanced traction, stability, handling, durability and vehicle NVH characteristics. PowerLite® independent front drive axles and five-link rear suspension drive axles, utilizing PowerDense(TM) gear technology, have been designed using AAM's standard four-point vehicle noise reduction plan to ensure the vehicle meets demanding customer requirements.

"We are excited to have been chosen to support such an important new platform for General Motors," said AAM Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO Richard E. Dauch. "The HUMMER name is synonymous with off-road performance, and the H2 will incorporate AAM's latest technology for providing maximum off-road traction and handling without sacrificing on-road performance."

The state-of-the-art Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) resources, at AAM's Technical Center, coupled with the Prototype Development Center's capabilities at AAM's Detroit Forge plant, enabled AAM to develop new products for this program utilizing proven process and product design concepts.

"We design all of our systems and modules for ease of manufacturability and assembly," explains Daniel V. Sagady, P.E., vice president Engineering & Product Development. "Our Technical and Prototype Development Centers allow us to design from 'art-to-part,' utilizing lessons learned from previous experiences."

AAM is a world leader in the manufacture, engineering, design and validation of driveline systems and related components and modules, chassis systems and forged products for trucks, buses, sport utility vehicles and passenger cars. In addition to its 14 locations in the United States (in Michigan, New York and Ohio), AAM also has offices and facilities in Brazil, England, Germany, Japan, Mexico and Scotland.