Takata and MADD Make Strides for Change

Takata Sponsors MADD's Metro Detroit Strides for Change Walk

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 23 -- Takata, the world's largest manufacturer of seat belts, is partnering with the Metro Detroit chapters of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for their inaugural Strides for Change walk on Saturday, September 24, 2005 at the Olde World Canterbury Village in Lake Orion, Mich. The walk steps off at 9 a.m. following opening ceremonies that include remarks by Glynn Birch, MADD National President, and Bob Kittle, Takata's Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Strides for Change is a 5K walk that raises funds and awareness for MADD's programs and services that help save lives on the nation's roads and support victims of alcohol-related fatalities. Takata has joined the effort to bring attention to the importance of always wearing a seat belt while traveling in a vehicle.

"Takata is in the business of saving lives, and we're heavily involved in public awareness efforts to promote seat belt use," said Kittle. "Ninety percent of the fatalities on our roads are caused by a drunk driver or a failure to wear a seat belt, so it only makes sense that we unite our efforts with MADD's."

Takata's pledge to the local Strides for Change walk augments its corporate commitment to MADD. For the third consecutive year, Takata is the national presenting sponsor of MADD's Tie One On For Safety ribbon campaign. While the campaign runs during the holiday period of November and December -- one of the busiest on the nation's roads with a high incidence of alcohol- related traffic fatalities -- the message to drive safe, sober and buckled up resonates well beyond those months into a year-round crusade.

Takata's involvement with MADD is just one example of the many safety commitments it upholds. The company continues to seek and build relationships with partners who share the common vision of reducing traffic fatalities.

Takata is the world's largest provider of safety belts and a leading global automotive safety systems supplier. Takata offers a full line of seat belts, frontal and side impact airbags, steering wheels, safety electronics including rollover protection and crash avoidance systems, and a broad range of interior trim components. Takata's U.S. automotive safety headquarters are in Auburn Hills, Mich. For additional information, please visit, http://www.takata.com/ .