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Donnelly Applauds NHTSA Trunk Release Proposal

16 December 1999

Donnelly Applauds NHTSA Trunk Release Proposal

    HOLLAND, Mich., Dec. 15 -- Donnelly Corporation
said today that the company strongly supports a proposal by the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that would require U.S.
passenger vehicles to be equipped with trunk release devices located inside
the trunk.  The releases are intended to allow people who are trapped in
vehicle trunks to escape.  The NHTSA proposal would make the releases
mandatory by January 1, 2001.
    "The NHTSA proposal marks an important step forward in U.S. vehicle
safety," said Dwane Baumgardner, Donnelly chairman and chief executive
officer.  "By providing a means of escape for people trapped in a
vehicle trunk, the auto industry can reduce or eliminate the potential for the
kinds of tragedies that can occur when people -- especially children -- are
trapped.  We applaud the NHTSA proposal, and we fully support its speedy
implementation."
    Donnelly is an industry leader in the development of trunk release
systems.  The company's patent-pending SmartRelease(TM) trunk release system
uses advanced electronic sensors to detect heat and motion, and automatically
open the trunk if it senses a person trapped inside.
    Donnelly's SmartRelease(TM) will debut on General Motors' products next
year.  When Donnelly begins supplying the technology in mid 2000, it will be
the first time that vehicles in North America will feature an automatic trunk
release system.
    This technology represents the next phase in Donnelly's work to make
vehicles a safer environment.  The SmartRelease(TM) system is more
sophisticated than the manual emergency trunk release handles that Donnelly
developed and currently supplies to auto makers.  The electronic sensors
require very little movement on the part of a person trapped in a trunk to
activate.  The technology also has other possible safety and security
applications within the vehicle passenger compartment.
    Donnelly Corporation is an international automotive supplier dedicated to
serving customers around the globe with industry-leading components and
systems in automotive mirrors, windows and door handles.  Through its various
product lines, Donnelly is a supplier to every major automotive manufacturer
in the world.  The company has been based in Holland, Michigan, since 1905,
and today has approximately 5,600 employees in 12 countries worldwide.
Donnelly has been named by the Society of Automotive Engineers as a model
company in lean manufacturing practices.  In addition, Donnelly is nationally
recognized as a leader in the application of participative management
principles and systems.