Stoneridge Comments on Judgment in Product Liability Case

WARREN, Ohio, Jan. 22, 2004 -- Stoneridge, Inc. announced today that a final judgment was entered against the Company on January 15, 2004 in the District Court (365th Judicial District) in Maverick County, Texas. The plaintiffs alleged in their complaint that a Stoneridge fuel valve installed as a replacement part on a truck caused a fire after an accident resulting in a death. The plaintiffs are the parents of the decedent. The final judgment entered against the Company was approximately $36.5 million. The Company denies its fuel valve contributed to the fire. A vigorous appeal of this judgment is being undertaken. The Company believes that there are valid grounds to reverse the judgment on appeal. If successful, the appeal may alter or eliminate the amount of the existing judgment. While legal proceedings are subject to inherent uncertainty, the Company believes that it is reasonably possible that this award will be substantially altered or eliminated by the appellate court. Consequently, in the opinion of management and counsel, it is not possible to estimate the outcome of such uncertainty at this time. The Company will record a provision for any liability in this case, if and at the time that management and counsel conclude a loss is probable. If the appeal is unsuccessful the Company believes its maximum exposure could be approximately $1.5 million plus interest because almost all of the judgment is covered by insurance.

About Stoneridge, Inc.

Stoneridge, Inc., headquartered in Warren, Ohio, is a leading independent designer and manufacturer of highly engineered electrical and electronic components, modules and systems principally for the automotive, medium- and heavy-duty truck, agricultural and off-road vehicle markets. Sales in 2003 were approximately $607 million. Additional information about Stoneridge can be found on the World Wide Web at www.stoneridge.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this release that are not historical fact are forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in this release. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among other factors, the loss of a major customer, a decline in automotive, medium- and heavy-duty truck or agricultural vehicle production, the failure to achieve successful integration of any acquired company or business, labor disputes involving the Company or its significant customers, risks associated with conducting business in foreign countries, or a decline in general economic conditions. In addition, this release contains time-sensitive information that reflects management's best analysis only as of the date of this release. Stoneridge does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release. Further information concerning issues that could materially affect financial performance related to forward-looking statements contained in this release can be found in Stoneridge's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.