Chief Executive Officer Adopts Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plan in Connection With Exercise of Employee Stock Options

MORGAN HILL, Calif., Nov. 10, 2003 -- The Coast Distribution System, Inc. (AMEX:CRV) today reported that it has been informed by Thomas R. McGuire, its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, that he has established a plan, pursuant to Securities Exchange Commission Rule 10b5-1, to sell up to a total of 70,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company that he will be acquiring on exercise of vested employee stock options. Those shares will be sold in brokerage transactions over a period of seven calendar quarters.

Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 allows officers and directors to adopt written plans for trading securities in a non- discretionary, pre-scheduled manner in order to avoid concerns about initiating stock transactions when the officer or director may be aware of non-public information. Such plans also allow officers and directors to diversify their holdings and to minimize the market effect of stock sales by spreading them out over time.

Mr. McGuire, who owns more than 645,000 of Coast's outstanding shares and is its largest shareholder, stated, "I have decided to implement this plan at this time primarily to fund my exercise of Coast options and to diversify my investment portfolio. I remain confident about Coast's future prospects and I have no plans to sell any of my existing Coast Distribution shares."

About The Coast Distribution System, Inc.

The Coast Distribution System is a leading supplier of accessories for recreational vehicles (RVs) and pleasure boats in the U.S. and Canada. Coast supplies its 15,000 customers through 16 distribution centers located throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains statements regarding our expectations and beliefs about our future financial performance that are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers of this release are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward- looking statements, which are inherently uncertain, or to rely on historical operating results to predict future financial performance. Actual results in the future may differ materially, depending on the effect of a number of risks and uncertainties such as, but not limited to, the possibility of increased price competition within the Company's distribution channels; the possibility that economic conditions will not improve significantly or that interest rates will increase, causing consumers to reduce discretionary spending which can affect the sale of our products or causing our interest costs to increase; the occurrence, or even the threat, of shortages in the supply or significant increases in the price of gasoline or unusually severe weather conditions which would reduce usage of RVs and pleasure boats and hence the purchase of the products we distribute; and the possibility of changes in the structure of relationships between manufacturers, distributors and retailers within our industry, which could create supply problems and operating costs or lead to increased competition. For a more detailed discussion of factors that affect the Company's operating results, readers of this press release should review the Company's SEC reports, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002. Forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this release and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.