---

Standard Motor Products, Inc. and Cooper Industries Receive Clearance to Proceed with Product Line Swap

17 December 1997

Standard Motor Products, Inc. and Cooper Industries Receive Clearance to Proceed with Product Line Swap

    NEW YORK, Dec. 17 -- Standard Motor Products, Inc.
, announced today that it has learned the Department of Justice has
granted early termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period, permitting
the previously announced exchange of its brake business for the temperature
control business of Moog Automotive, Inc., a subsidiary of Cooper Industries
.  Execution of the exchange, which is anticipated during the first
quarter of 1998, is subject to reaching a definitive Purchase Agreement.
    The anticipated transaction will involve an exchange of certain assets,
assumption of certain liabilities, and possible payment of cash to achieve an
equivalent exchange value.  The brake business of Standard Motor Products,
Inc. and the temperature control business of Copper Industries/Moog each had
revenues in 1996 of approximately $150 million.
    The brake business of Standard Motor Products, Inc. includes a line of
hydraulic and friction products, drums and rotors and hardware under the EIS,
Cali-Blok, Traffic King, Tru-Tech and private label brand names.  The
temperature control business of Cooper Industries includes heating and cooling
system parts and electric motors sold under the Everco, Murray, Frostemp, and
Automotive Components brand names.
    Mr. Lawrence Sills, President said: "This opportunity is a win-win
situation for both parties.  It will enable each company to concentrate on the
product lines in which it has the greatest expertise, and work towards
achieving further efficiencies and improvements in these lines."  Mr. Sills
added, "There are significant synergies on the sales and cost reduction fronts
that Standard Motor Products will gain in its Temperature Control business,
beginning in 1998.  We are moving quickly to identify further opportunities to
help offset the continuing softness of the automotive aftermarket.  This
softness will have a significant negative impact on the fourth quarter
results, but I am confident the swap opportunity and other actions the Company
is taking will produce substantial benefits, both in the short and long term."
    Standard Motor Products, Inc. is a manufacturer and distributor of
automotive replacements parts in North America and Europe.

SOURCE  Standard Motor Products, Inc.