Textron Automotive Company Named Finalist In Award Program

12 November 1998
Textron Automotive Company Named Finalist for Two Innovations In the 1999 Automotive News PACE(TM) Award Program
    TROY, Mich., Nov. 11 -- Textron Automotive Company (TAC) has
been named a finalist in the esteemed 1999 Automotive News PACE(TM) Award.
Out of the 20 finalists selected, TAC was one of only two companies recognized
for two innovations:  Textron Automotive Trim for the ATPU (Aliphatic
Thermoplastic Urethane) Instrument Panel Cover Material and McCord Winn for
its ASCTec(C) Seat Comfort Systems.
    The Automotive News PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contributions to
Excellence) Awards program recognizes outstanding automotive suppliers for
innovative contributions to the improvement of automotive products and
services.  Automotive News and Ernst & Young LLP jointly sponsor this award.
    "We are honored to be in this elite group of companies exemplifying
innovation throughout the automotive industry," said John A. Janitz, Chairman,
President and CEO of Textron Automotive Company.  "Recognized for
two technologies in this year's PACE Award program reinforces our Company's
strong emphasis on innovation, which is well-received with our customers as
well as others in the automotive arena."
    Recipients of this award will be announced at an awards ceremony at the
Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, on Sunday, February 28, 1999, which
coincides with the commencement of the 1999 SAE International Congress and
Exposition.
    Textron Automotive Company will now venture into the second stage of this
application process involving a site visit to evaluate both the innovation and
management teams of all respected companies.  An independent panel of
distinguished judges -- comprised of industry, academic and business leaders
-- will select the 1999 PACE Award winners.  A record-setting 89 companies
applied for this year's award.
    Textron Automotive Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is
a worldwide manufacturer of automotive interior/exterior trim and functional
components with annual sales in excess of $2 billion.
    Textron Inc. is a $10 billion, global, multi-industry company
with market-leading operations in Aircraft, Automotive, Industrial and
Finance.