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U.S. Production Facility of Japan-Based Kawasaki Set To Celebrate 25th Anniversary

9 June 1999

First U.S. Production Facility of Japan-Based Motor Vehicle Manufacturer Set To Celebrate 25th Anniversary in Lincoln and 10th Anniversary in Maryville

 Kawasaki's Lincoln, NE, and Maryville, MO, facilities to host dignitaries at
       weekend activities and to commemorate occasion with donation of
                            MULE utility vehicles

    LINCOLN, Neb., June 9 -- Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp.,
U.S.A., (KMM) which today employs nearly two thousand people at facilities
here and in Maryville, MO, will commemorate 25 years and 10 years of
operations June 10-12 with activities at both plants.  The Kawasaki operations
in Lincoln were the first U.S. production facilities established by a
Japan-based motor vehicle manufacturer -- preceding any other motorcycle or
automobile brands.
    Established in 1974 as a division of the U.S. distributor of Kawasaki
products, Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., the production arm became a separate
entity in 1981 and expanded in 1989 with the addition of the Maryville
facility.
    The original Lincoln plant, which assembles motorcycles, all-terrain
vehicles, JET SKI(R) watercraft, MULE(TM) utility vehicles, wheels and
industrial robots for Ford Motors and others which include refurbished units,
has over 1 million square feet of manufacturing, warehouse and office space
sitting on 335 acres of land not far from the city center.  The company today
exports products worldwide in support of Kawasaki distributors.  A total
1,850,000 units has been produced since Kawasaki's Lincoln plant opened in
1975.
    Maryville assembles all-terrain vehicle engines and small engines for
consumer products, primarily lawn and garden care equipment.  It has a 440,000
square foot facility located on over 113 acres of property.  A total of
1,900,000 units has been produced since the Maryville plant opened in 1989.
    The two combined KMM operations provide a huge and continuing economic
impact on their respective communities.  In addition, KMM's production value
is $600 million which represents a 10% increase annually over the last ten
years.
    To commemorate the anniversary, KMM will present seven MULE units to
Lincoln area facilities and educational institutions, and Maryville will
present three units to local educational institutions.  Those to receive the
unique utility vehicle are:  Nebraska's Governor Mike Johanns, for assignment
at Mahoney State Park, two to Lincoln's Mayor Don Wesley for use at the
Children's Zoo and the Highlands Golf Course, and one each to the University
of Nebraska, Nebraska Wesleyan, Union College, and Southeast Community
College.
    Maryville's units will be presented to Northwest Missouri State
University, Northwest Technical School and Maryville R-II School District.
    Several guests, including the chairman of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
located in Kobe, Japan, will join KMM executives, Lincoln, Maryville, State of
Nebraska and Missouri officials, as well as employee families, vendors, and
suppliers for three days of festivities beginning June 10 in Maryville and
concluding June 12 in Lincoln.