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Titan International, Inc. Net sales increase 11% in second quarter 2005

QUINCY, Ill.--July 27, 2005--Titan International, Inc. :

Second quarter highlights:

-- Net sales increased $13.5 million or 11% second quarter 2005 compared to second quarter 2004. The net sales of $134.7 million this quarter compare to $121.2 million in the second quarter of last year.

-- Income from operations (not including the idled assets depreciation of $1.3 million) was $14.3 million, an improvement of $1.6 million or 13% in the quarter, when compared to $12.7 million for second quarter 2004.

-- The Company exchanged $33.8 million of convertible notes for equity.

-- Debt declined $52.3 million in the quarter to a balance of $111.1 million, the lowest debt level since Titan's first year as a public company in 1993.

-- Adjusted net income in the quarter was $7.5 million, an increase of 33% over the $5.6 million net income result in the second quarter of 2004. Adjusted net income has been adjusted to reflect a 39% tax rate and does not include: i) idled assets depreciation of $1.3 million and ii) convertible debt conversion charge of $7.2 million.

-- Adjusted basic earnings per share in the quarter was $.44 per share, a 38% increase over the $.32 per share recorded in the second quarter of 2004. Adjusted basic earnings per share has been adjusted to reflect a 39% tax rate and does not include i) idled assets depreciation of $1.3 million and ii) convertible debt conversion charge of $7.2 million.

Statement of Chief Executive Officer:

"With Titan's sixth consecutive quarter of strong income from operations and the exchange of a portion of the senior convertible notes, Titan's debt balance of $111.1 million at quarter end was the lowest since our first year as a public company in 1993," stated Maurice Taylor Jr., Titan chairman and CEO. "The Company achieved strong operating results and our equity increased by more than $43 million in the quarter."

"The Company was approached by large convertible note holders to exchange the fair value of the notes for Titan stock and we agreed as this transaction substantially strengthened Titan's balance sheet. The approximate market value of the notes was $1,330 per $1,000 note and Titan exchanged 3,022,275 shares for $33.8 million of our convertible notes," stated Taylor. " Instead of recording it as an equity for debt transaction, the independent accounting guidance is to value the note at the issuance price of $1,000 and the stock price at a higher level. Therefore, the transaction resulted in a non-cash charge to the income statement of $7.2 million. Operationally, Titan had a strong quarter and a great first half of the year despite this debt conversion charge."

Year-to-date highlights:

-- Year-to-date net sales increased $32.1 million, or 13%, to $270.8 million when compared to 2004 year-to-date net sales of $238.7 million, excluding Titan Europe. Recorded 2004 year-to-date net sales were $288.2 million, including $49.4 million of Titan Europe sales.

-- Adjusted basic earnings per share year-to-date was $.96, a 78% increase over the $.54 per share recorded for the first half of 2004. Adjusted basic earnings per share has been adjusted to reflect a 39% tax rate and does not include i) idled assets depreciation of $2.7 million and ii) convertible debt conversion charge of $7.2 million. Adjusted basic earnings for the first half of 2004 do not include $0.4 million of Titan Europe consolidated income.

Financial overview:

Titan International, Inc. reported net sales of $134.7 million for second quarter of 2005, an increase of 11% compared to $121.2 million for the previous year's quarter. Net sales for the first half of 2005 were $270.8 million, up from $238.7 million for the first half of 2004 on a pro forma basis, adjusted for the sale of Titan Europe in April 2004. Reported sales for the first half of 2004 were $288.2 million.

Income from operations (not including idled assets depreciation of $1.3 million in the quarter and $2.7 million year-to-date) was $14.3 million and $29.7 million respectively. These results compare to last year's $12.7 million and $24.0 million, for the quarter and year-to-date. Last year's year-to-date number does not include $0.4 million of Titan Europe consolidated income. (See Idled assets marketed for sale depreciation.)

Titan reduced debt by $52.3 million, or 32%, in the quarter. The substantial quarterly debt reduction resulted from the positive operating results of the Company and Titan finalizing a private transaction in June 2005 to exchange $33.8 million of 5.25% senior convertible notes due 2009 into Titan common stock as proposed to the company by certain note holders. The exchange resulted in 3,022,275 shares of Titan common stock issued to retire $33.8 million of notes and a non-cash convertible debt conversion charge of $7.2 million. (See Noncash convertible debt conversion charge.)

The income tax benefit recorded for the second quarter was $0.4 million. Income tax expense for the first half was $0.8 million. Based on the company's estimated year-end tax rate, the company provided for income taxes at an effective rate of 5% for the six months ending June 30, 2005.

Adjusted net income for the second quarter was $7.5 million, a 33% increase over the $5.6 million quarterly result in 2004. Adjusted net income has been adjusted to reflect a 39% tax rate and does not include i) idled assets depreciation of $1.3 million and ii) convertible debt conversion charge of $7.2 million.

With the impact of the idled assets and debt conversion, the Company recorded net income of $4.2 million for second quarter and $15.4 million year-to-date 2005, compared to net income of $5.6 million for the second quarter and $10.9 million year-to-date 2004.

Adjusted basic earnings per share were $.44 per share, a 38% increase over the $.32 per share result in the second quarter of 2004. Adjusted basic earnings per share has been adjusted to reflect a 39% tax rate and does not include i) idled assets depreciation of $1.3 million and ii) convertible debt conversion charge of $7.2 million.

Basic earnings per share, including the impact of the idled assets and debt conversion, were $.25 for the second quarter and $.93 year-to-date 2005, compared to $.32 basic earnings per share for the second quarter and $.57 year-to-date 2004.

Idled assets marketed for sale depreciation:

Titan recorded depreciation for idled assets marketed for sale of $1.3 million for second quarter 2005, and $2.7 million year-to-date 2005, as compared to no expense recorded for these time periods during 2004.

Noncash convertible debt conversion charge:

Titan recorded a charge for the noncash convertible debt of $7.2 million for second quarter and year-to-date 2005, as compared to no expense recorded for these time periods during 2004.

Acquisition update:

Titan Tire Corporation, a subsidiary of the Company, entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the assets of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company's North American farm tire business on February 28, 2005. The closing is subject to certain conditions. At the closing, Titan will purchase the assets of Goodyear's farm tire business for approximately $100 million. The termination date of the agreement has been extended to September 1, 2005, and the transaction is anticipated to close during the third quarter of 2005.

On July 26, 2005, Titan Tire Corporation received approval from the International leadership of the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) to begin negotiations with USWA Local 745 in Freeport, Illinois. A contract must be approved by the USWA membership in Freeport for the sale to Titan to be finalized.

Additional information:

For additional information and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, see the company's Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 27, 2005.

Safe harbor statement:

This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks as detailed in Titan International, Inc.'s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. The Company cautions that any forward-looking statements included in this press release are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Company description:

Quincy, IL. - Titan International, Inc. , a holding company, owns subsidiaries that supply wheels, tires and assemblies for off-highway equipment used in agricultural, earthmoving/construction, and consumer (i.e. all terrain vehicles and trailers) applications.

                       Titan International, Inc.
           Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
       For the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004

Amounts in thousands except earnings per share data.

                                Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended
                                     June 30,           June 30,
                                 2005      2004      2005      2004
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net sales                      $134,709  $121,188  $270,838  $288,164
Cost of sales                   112,207    99,872   224,255   239,555
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
  Gross profit                   22,502    21,316    46,583    48,609

Selling, general &
 administrative expenses          8,018     8,260    16,445    19,972
Research & development expenses     210       385       393     1,207
Idled assets marketed for sale
 depreciation                     1,334         0     2,680         0
Goodwill impairment on Titan
 Europe                               0         0         0     2,988
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
  Income from operations         12,940    12,671    27,065    24,442

Interest expense                 (2,353)   (4,615)   (4,942)   (9,765)
Noncash convertible debt
 conversion charge               (7,225)        0    (7,225)        0
Equity income from
 unconsolidated affiliate           846       788     2,038       788
Other (expense)  income            (442)       88      (724)      134
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
  Income before income taxes      3,766     8,932    16,212    15,599

(Benefit) provision for income
 taxes                             (434)    3,289       811     4,680
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

  Net income                     $4,200    $5,643   $15,401   $10,919
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

Earnings per common share:
  Basic                            $.25      $.32      $.93      $.57
  Diluted                           .23       .32       .74       .57

Average common shares
 outstanding:
  Basic                          16,900    17,379    16,628    19,288
  Diluted                        25,186    17,436    25,128    19,317



Adjustment Calculations (Unaudited)
Amounts in thousands except per share data

                               Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                                    June 30,            June 30,
                                 2005      2004      2005      2004
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
Income from operations          $12,940   $12,671   $27,065   $24,442
Add back: Idled assets marketed
 for sale depreciation            1,334         0     2,680         0
Less Titan Europe income from
 operations                           0         0         0      (420)
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
  Adjusted income from
   operations                   $14,274   $12,671   $29,745   $24,022
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

Net income                       $4,200    $5,643   $15,401   $10,919
Add back: Idled assets marketed
 for sale depreciation            1,334         0     2,680         0
Add back: Noncash convertible
 debt conversion charge           7,225         0     7,225         0
Less Titan Europe income from
 operations                           0         0         0      (420)
Adjustment to 39% tax rate for
 2005                            (5,241)        0    (9,375)        0
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
  Adjusted net income            $7,518    $5,643   $15,931   $10,499
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

Adjusted earnings per common
 share:
  Basic                            $.44      $.32      $.96      $.54
  Diluted                           .34       .32       .71       .54



Segment Information
Revenues from external customers (Unaudited)
Amounts in thousands

                               Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                                    June 30,            June 30,
                                 2005      2004      2005      2004
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
Agricultural                    $90,819   $79,826  $180,278  $183,132
Earthmoving/Construction         35,721    33,662    74,862    87,051
Consumer                          8,169     7,700    15,698    17,981
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
  Total                        $134,709  $121,188  $270,838  $288,164



Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
Amounts in thousands

                                                   June 30,   Dec. 31
Assets                                               2005      2004
                                                   --------- ---------
Current assets:
Cash & cash equivalents                                $542    $1,130
Accounts receivable                                  69,976    52,781
Inventories                                          78,678    84,658
Deferred income taxes                                 6,711     6,711
Other current assets                                  9,418     9,388
                                                   --------- ---------
  Total current assets                              165,325   154,668

Property, plant & equipment, net                     75,572    80,644
Idled assets marketed for sale                       28,165    31,245
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate               29,578    30,040
Restricted cash on deposit                           24,500    24,500
Goodwill                                             11,702    11,702
Other noncurrent assets                              19,178    21,367
                                                   --------- ---------
  Total assets                                     $354,020  $354,166
                                                   ========= =========

Liabilities & stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt (including current portion of long-
 term debt)                                            $177      $217
Accounts payable                                     29,775    26,733
Other current liabilities                            14,928    12,820
                                                   --------- ---------
  Total current liabilities                          44,880    39,770

Long-term debt                                      110,911   169,688
Deferred income taxes                                 9,164     9,164
Other long-term liabilities                          27,447    28,663
Stockholders' equity                                161,618   106,881
                                                   --------- ---------
  Total liabilities & stockholders' equity         $354,020  $354,166
                                                   ========= =========