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Dura Announces Offer to Acquire Adwest Automotive

26 January 1999

Dura Automotive Systems, Inc. Announces Offer to Acquire Adwest Automotive plc

    MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 26 -- Dura Automotive Systems, Inc.
("Dura") announced today an offer to acquire all of the
outstanding shares of Adwest Automotive plc ("Adwest") (London: AWST), a
manufacturer of driver control mechanisms and engine control products based in
the United Kingdom.  The offer of 1.50 pounds per share ($2.48 per share) has
been recommended by the board of directors of Adwest and is subject to
acceptance by at least 75 percent of Adwest's shareholders.  In the event all
shares are ultimately tendered, the total consideration would be approximately
$210 million.  In addition, approximately $120 million of indebtedness will be
assumed as part of the acquisition.  The transaction is expected to close by
the end of the first quarter.
    Adwest generates annual revenues of approximately $400 million from its
operations located in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain and the
United States.  Products include driver control mechanisms such as
gearshifters, park brakes, pedal boxes and jacks, as well as engine control
products, which includes engine thermostats and fuel filler caps.  Engine
control products represent approximately 20 percent of Adwest's total
revenues.  Customers include Volkswagen, BMW, Ford, General Motors, Peugeot,
Citroen, Renault, Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Volvo and Fiat.
    Dura's president and chief executive officer, Karl Storrie, said, "We are
very excited by the opportunities presented with the acquisition of Adwest.
As we have previously indicated, an important part of our growth strategy is
to provide expanded systems capabilities to the European automotive market.
The addition of Adwest's mechanical products combined with our cable products
will allow Dura to supply its European customers with complete driver control
systems on a major scale.  Furthermore, Adwest's technical and management
capabilities will be great assets to our combined company."
    Dura Automotive Systems, Inc., is a leading designer and manufacturer of
driver control systems, engineered mechanisms and cable-related systems for
the global automotive industry.  The company's products include parking brake
systems, automotive cables, transmission shifter systems, latches, underbody
tire carriers, jacks, brake, clutch and accelerator pedals and other
mechanical assemblies.  The company's products are sold to major North
American original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including Ford, General
Motors and DaimlerChrysler, as well as Japanese OEMs, including Toyota and
Honda.  The company's European and Latin American facilities support Ford, GM,
Volkswagen, Mercedes, BMW, PSA (Peugeot and Citroen) and various other OEMs.
Dura's operating headquarters is in Rochester Hills, Mich., and its corporate
office is in Minneapolis, Minn.
    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  Such
forward-looking statements are based on the belief of the management of Dura
as well as on assumptions made by and information currently available to Dura
at the time such statements were made.  Such forward-looking statements relate
to, among other things, (i) the expected closing date of the acquisition, and
(ii) the anticipated benefits of the acquisition.  Actual results could differ
materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result
of (i) unexpected delays in obtaining Adwest shareholder and/or other
regulatory approvals; (ii) the inability of either Dura or Adwest to satisfy
the conditions to the consummation of the acquisition; (iii) unforeseen
difficulties in integrating the operations of Dura and Adwest, or (iv)
unanticipated negative reaction to the proposed transaction by customers,
suppliers or stockholders.