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Wabash National Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter and Year End Results

LAFAYETTE, Ind., Feb. 9, 2004 -- Wabash National Corporation announced today results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2003. Net sales for the fourth quarter were $219.8 million compared to $205.9 million for the same period last year. Net loss for the quarter was $1.7 million, including losses of $4.1 million incurred on the sale of finance contracts, compared to a loss of $11.6 million for the same period last year. For the year ended December 31, 2003, net sales were $887.9 million compared to $819.6 million for 2002. Net loss for fiscal year 2003 totaled $57.2 million, compared to a net loss of $56.2 million in 2002. Diluted loss per share was ($0.08) for the fourth quarter 2003, including losses of ($0.16) incurred on the sale of finance contracts, compared to ($0.46) per share for the fourth quarter 2002. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2003 diluted loss per share was ($2.26) compared to ($2.43) in 2002.

Commenting on these results, William P. Greubel, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are very pleased with the accomplishments achieved during the fourth quarter and for the full year of 2003. We finished the year on a very strong note with excellent momentum continuing into the new year. There was over $500 million in shareholder value created by the Company during 2003. Our goal in 2004 is to maintain this value and build upon it. The financial crisis of the Company has been fixed and we have significantly improved our operations. As we transition from a turnaround story, we are focused on earnings and cash flow. Given accelerating industry demand, we look forward to 2004 and beyond with great expectations. These expectations are consistent with our recent accomplishments."

Wabash National Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets standard and customized truck trailers under the Wabash(TM) brand name. The Company is one of the world's largest manufacturers of truck trailers and a leading manufacturer of composite trailers. The Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Wabash National Trailer Centers, is one of the leading retail distributors of new and used trailers and aftermarket parts 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. These forward- looking statements are, however, 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 dependence on lenders to agree to amend financial covenants on favorable term, increased competition, 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.

                       WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
             (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                Unaudited

                                     Three Months          Twelve Months
                                  Ended December 31,     Ended December 31,
                                   2003        2002       2003       2002

  NET SALES                     $219,751    $205,891   $887,940   $819,568
  COST OF SALES                  204,492     191,437    810,746    777,117
  LOSS ON ASSET IMPAIRMENT             -       2,000     28,500      2,000
      Gross Profit                15,259      12,454     48,694     40,451
  GENERAL AND
   ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES         8,352      12,862     37,383     53,897
  SELLING EXPENSES                 4,379       5,948     20,333     23,501
  RESTRUCTURING CHARGE                 -          96          -      1,813
      Income (loss) from
       operations                  2,528      (6,452)    (9,022)   (38,760)
  OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
      Interest expense            (3,554)     (8,861)   (30,162)   (30,873)
      Foreign exchange gains
       and losses, net               (27)       (128)     5,291          5
      Loss on debt extinguishment   (900)          -    (19,840)    (1,314)
      Other, net                     205         505     (3,494)      (526)
      Loss before income taxes    (1,748)    (14,936)   (57,227)   (71,468)
  INCOME TAX BENEFIT                   -      (3,331)         -    (15,278)
      Net loss                    (1,748)    (11,605)   (57,227)   (56,190)
  PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS          261         268      1,053      1,563
  NET LOSS APPLICABLE TO
   COMMON STOCKHOLDERS           $(2,009)   $(11,873)  $(58,280)  $(57,753)
  BASIC AND DILUTED NET LOSS
   PER SHARE                      $(0.08)     $(0.46)    $(2.26)    $(2.43)
  BASIC AND DILUTED SHARES
   OUTSTANDING                    25,947      25,644     25,778     23,791
  COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
      Net loss                   $(1,748)   $(11,605)  $(57,227)  $(56,190)
      Foreign currency
       translation adjustment      1,020          11      1,256         42
  NET COMPREHENSIVE LOSS           $(728)   $(11,594)  $(55,971)  $(56,148)

                       WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
             (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                Unaudited

  SEGMENT INFORMATION                      Retail &
  Three months ended      Manufacturing  Distribution  Eliminations   Total
          2003
      Net Sales              $185,352      $46,345      $(11,946)  $219,751
      Operating Results        $6,626      $(4,211)         $113     $2,528
          2002
      Net Sales              $150,418      $73,324      $(17,851)  $205,891
      Operating Results       $(3,655)     $(2,313)        $(484)   $(6,452)

  Twelve months ended
          2003
      Net Sales              $672,292     $268,698      $(53,050)  $887,940
      Operating Results       $27,828     $(37,283)         $433    $(9,022)
          2002
      Net Sales              $530,060     $331,489      $(41,981)  $819,568
      Operating Results      $(16,566)    $(22,287)          $93   $(38,760)

                       WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                          (Dollars in thousands)
                                Unaudited

                                              December 31,   December 31,
                                                  2003           2002

                                    ASSETS
  CURRENT ASSETS:
      Cash and cash equivalents                 $12,552        $35,659
      Accounts receivable, net                   66,641         34,396
      Current portion of finance contracts        4,727          9,528
      Inventories                                84,996        134,872
      Prepaid expenses and other                 10,249         18,299
         Total current assets                   179,165        232,754

  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net            130,594        145,703

  EQUIPMENT LEASED TO OTHERS, net                21,187        100,837

  FINANCE CONTRACTS, net of current portion       6,155         22,488

  GOODWILL, net                                  36,045         34,652

  OTHER ASSETS                                   23,890         29,135
                                               $397,036       $565,569

                     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  CURRENT LIABILITIES:
      Current maturities of long-term debt       $7,337        $42,961
      Current maturities of capital
       lease obligations                              -         12,860
      Accounts payable                           68,437         60,457
      Other accrued liabilities                  61,421         61,424
        Total current liabilities               137,195        177,702

  LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities     219,979        239,043

  LONG-TERM CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS,
   net of current maturities                          -         51,993

  OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES AND CONTINGENCIES 17,700         22,847

  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                           22,162         73,984
                                               $397,036       $565,569

                       WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                          (Dollars in thousands)

                                                  Years Ended December 31,
                                                     2003         2002
  CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
      Net loss                                    $(57,227)    $(56,190)
      Adjustments to reconcile net cash
       provided by (used in) operating activities:
          Depreciation and amortization             23,788       28,626
          Net (gain) loss on the sale of assets        723       (1,322)
          Provision for losses on accounts
           receivable and finance contracts            474        9,773
          Cash used for restructuring activities    (3,372)        (373)
          Restructuring and other related charges        -        1,813
          Used trailer valuation charges             2,562        5,443
          Loss contingencies                             -        2,831
          Loss on debt extinguishment               19,840        1,314
          Loss on asset impairments                 28,500        2,000
          Change in operating assets and liabilities:
              Accounts receivable                  (40,749)      19,695
              Inventories                           51,416       58,335
              Refundable income taxes                  824       24,762
              Prepaid expenses and other             5,009       (4,016)
              Accounts payable and
               accrued liabilities                  11,286        9,776
              Other, net                            (1,280)       1,815
                  Net cash provided by (used in)
                   operating activities             41,794      104,282
  CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
      Capital expenditures                          (6,518)      (5,703)
      Additions to equipment leased to others            -       (9,792)
      Additions to finance contracts                     -       (7,718)
      Proceeds from asset sales                     53,479            -
      Proceeds from sale of leased equipment
       and finance contracts                        15,189        5,337
      Principal payments received on
       finance contracts                             7,778       13,278
      Proceeds from the sale of property,
       plant and equipment                           6,861       16,617
          Net cash provided by (used in)
           investing activities                     76,789       12,019
  CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
      Proceeds from issuance of bank term loan
       and revolving credit facility               135,309       80,402
      Proceeds from convertible senior notes       125,000            -
      Proceeds from exercise of stock options        4,804          351
      Borrowings under trade receivables and
       revolving credit facilities                 197,650       56,798
      Payments under trade receivables and
       revolving credit facilities                (225,501)    (146,491)
      Payments under long-term debt and
       capital lease obligations                  (367,089)     (78,589)
      Preferred stock dividends paid                (1,584)        (443)
      Debt issuance costs paid                     (10,279)      (3,805)
          Net cash provided by (used in)
           financing activities                   (141,690)     (91,777)

  NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND
   CASH EQUIVALENTS                                (23,107)      24,524
  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT
   BEGINNING OF PERIOD                              35,659       11,135
  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD       $12,552      $35,659
  Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
  Cash paid during the period for:
      Interest                                     $21,774      $27,913
      Income taxes refunded, net                     $(832)    $(38,153)