---

Titan Announces Multi-Million Dollar Development Program

12 August 1997

Titan Announces Multi-Million Dollar Development Program

    QUINCY, Ill., Aug. 12 -- Titan International, Inc.
announces a multi-million dollar development program for its new
Grizz LSW wheel and tire assembly with a major tractor manufacturer.
    This new wheel and tire combination will be tested to evaluate the LSW's
ability to reduce power hop and field lope, and to improve ride and stability
at road speed.  These new tires will operate at lower air pressure than
current tires and have improved runout characteristics over current industry
standards.  Titan's Grizz LSW series of wheels and tires has already been
successfully tested on smaller skid steer 10.5 x 20.5 LSW tires and wheels.
Titan believes that larger tire configurations will perform even better.
    "If these tires are as successful as we anticipate, they will become the
first off-highway tires that can meet customer requirements in both North
America and Europe," stated Maurice Taylor Jr., Titan president and CEO.
    The tires to be jointly developed will be a LSW 20.8 R 53.5 for rear farm
tractor applications and an LSW 16.9 R 37.5, a front farm tractor tire.
    Titan will build the new patent-pending wheels at its Quincy, Illinois,
wheel plant and the tires will be produced at their Des Moines, Iowa, tire
plant.  Titan is expecting to deliver sample wheels and tires by late fourth
quarter for testing.
    Titan International, Inc. is a global manufacturer of mounted tire and
wheel systems for off-highway equipment used in agriculture, construction,
mining, military, recreation and grounds care.  Titan has manufacturing and
distribution facilities throughout the United States and Europe.

SOURCE  Titan International, Inc.