China Automotive Systems Receives Letter from NASDAQ

HUBEI PROVINCEChina, March 18, 2011: China Automotive Systems, Inc. ("CAAS" or the "Company"), a leading power steering components and systems supplier in China, today announced that, as expected, it received a notification letter from the NASDAQ Stock Market ("Nasdaq") indicating that the Company was not in compliance with the continued listing requirements under NASDAQ Listing Rule 5250(c)(1), which requires the timely filing of SEC periodic reports. The notification letter from NASDAQ has no immediate effect on the listing or trading of CAAS' shares on the NASDAQ Stock Market.

The Company previously announced that it is reviewing the complex accounting treatment of the Company's convertible notes issued on February 15, 2008. CAAS expects that the review will be completed during the second quarter of 2011, at which time the Company will file its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and the amended quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2010 (which will include restated comparative financial statements for the respective periods of 2009) and an amended annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

The notification letter was received on March 17, 2011. Pursuant to the NASDAQ listing standards, CAAS has 60 calendar days, or until May 16, 2011, to submit a plan to NASDAQ to regain compliance with the NASDAQ Listing Rules. If NASDAQ accepts the Company's plan of compliance, NASDAQ may grant an extension of up to 180 calendar days from the due date of the annual report on Form 10K, or until September 16, 2011, to regain compliance.

About China Automotive Systems, Inc.

Based in Hubei Province, the People's Republic of China, China Automotive Systems, Inc. is a leading supplier of power steering components and systems to the Chinese automotive industry, operating through nine Sino-foreign joint ventures. The Company offers a full range of steering system parts for passenger automobiles and commercial vehicles. The Company currently offers four separate series of power steering with an annual production capacity of over 2.5 million sets, steering columns, steering oil pumps and steering hoses. Its customer base is comprised of leading Chinese auto manufacturers, such as China FAW Group, Corp., Dongfeng Auto Group Co., Ltd., BYD Auto Company Limited, Beiqi Foton Motor Co., Ltd. and Chery Automobile Co., Ltd.