Key Safety Systems Announces Organizational Changes

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., Jan. 18, 2005 -- B. Edward Ewing, Chairman and CEO of the Ewing Management Group (EMG) announced today organizational changes at EMG's Key Safety Systems, a Key Automotive Group Affiliate. The new appointments result from the continued progress in the turnaround of Key Safety Systems and the demonstrated strengths and accomplishments of the management team. The organizational changes are effective immediately.

In announcing the changes, Mr. Ewing said: "In line with the progress of Key Safety Systems and the strength of its management team, EMG's role in the operations has diminished. We are very pleased and excited to promote personnel from within the Key Automotive Group of affiliates into positions of leadership, formerly held by EMG personnel, for the future growth of Key Safety Systems. It is our objective to create strong business men and women in every company we acquire, and these promotions reflect the achievement of this objective."

  The announced changes include:

  Jason Luo - President and Chief Operating Officer
  Dave Smith - Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  Ron Feldeisen - Senior Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing
  Greg Heald - President and Chief Operating Officer, North America
  Mark Wehner - President and Chief Operating Officer, Europe

Mr. Ewing added: "When we acquired Key Safety Systems two years ago, we were determined to create a financially strong and operationally excellent company. Since April 2003, the company and the management team performed exceptionally well and our initial objectives were accomplished. In recognition of this progress, and in line with EMG operating philosophies, it is important to transfer significant leadership responsibilities to incumbent management. By focusing relentlessly on cost, schedule, quality, innovation and customer support, we created a leading safety systems company serving our global customers well. Under the new leaders and continued EMG oversight, we are confident we will achieve our objective of getting our employees, customers and suppliers to say we are a great management team."

Jason Luo currently serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of Key Safety Systems Asia and will retain those responsibilities going forward given the company's continued focus on moving to low cost regions of the world. Dave Smith previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Key Plastics, a Key Automotive Group Affiliate. Ron Feldeisen currently serves as head of Sales and Marketing for Key Safety Systems North America and will add Global responsibilities to his duties. Greg Heald and Mark Wehner both serve as Key Safety Systems Group Presidents for Airbags and Inflators for North America and Europe respectively, and will add regional oversight duties in their new roles.

About Key Safety Systems

Key Safety Systems Inc., a Key Automotive Group-affiliated company since April 2003, is a leading global designer and manufacturer of safety-critical components and systems including airbags, seat belts and steering wheels. Key Safety Systems' products are used in more than 300 vehicle models produced by over 45 automobile manufacturers worldwide. Key Safety Systems' global reach comprises 35 manufacturing, technical and sales facilities in 12 countries generating over $1.1 billion in sales and employing about 10,000 people.

About Key Plastics

Key Plastics is a leading supplier of plastic products to the automotive and light truck Tier 1 and OEM markets. Key Plastics engineers and produces value-added components and sub-assemblies for exterior applications, interior trim and functional under-hood products. Key Plastics' global operations comprise 29 manufacturing facilities, technical centers and sales offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia. With over $700 million in global sales annually, Key Plastics employs over 5,000 people. Mr. Ewing became Chairman and CEO of Key Plastics in April, 2001, when the company was acquired.

About The Key Automotive Group

Key Plastics (KP) designs, manufactures and supplies injection-molded plastic components and assemblies, while Key Safety Systems (KSS) designs, manufactures and supplies automotive safety systems and components. These Companies currently comprise the automotive portfolio of Ewing Management Group. Operating as affiliates of Key Automotive Group (KAG), the Companies together have approximately 15,000 employees and 64 facilities worldwide. The Companies' combined global sales are approximately $1.8B from a broad range of leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 Suppliers.

About Ewing Management Group

Based in Dallas, Texas, the Ewing Management Group is focused on acquiring and managing under performing companies in manufacturing or asset-intensive industries. Ewing Management Group was formerly the Carlyle Management Group, an affiliate of The Carlyle Group.