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Orion Bus Enters Into Agreement with Mechanical Dynamics

15 February 2000

Orion Bus Industries Enters Into Agreement with Mechanical Dynamics To Implement Functional Virtual Prototyping in Design Of Next Generation Transit Buses

    ANN ARBOR, Mich., Feb. 15 -- Orion Bus Industries, a
subsidiary of Western Star Trucks Holdings Ltd.
(Amex: WSH and Toronto Stock Exchange: WS), has entered into an agreement with
Mechanical Dynamics, Inc. , a worldwide provider of virtual
prototyping software and solutions, to use functional virtual prototyping in
its development of next-generation transit buses.
    Under the agreement, Mechanical Dynamics is providing both software and
consulting services to Orion Bus.  Mechanical Dynamics' market-leading
simulation software, ADAMS(R), is being used for handling and side-impact
analysis, and simulated shaker and Altoona testing.  Through simulation, Orion
Bus wants to minimize the risk of problems with the new design, and lower
future warranty costs.
    "This agreement with Orion Bus further extends Mechanical Dynamics'
traditional expertise in automotive virtual prototyping into the truck and bus
industry," said Michael E. Korybalski, chairman and chief executive officer of
Mechanical Dynamics.  "Implementing functional virtual prototyping puts Orion
Bus at the leading edge of manufacturers who recognize this technology as
crucial to the future of improved product development."
    Glen Ashdown, vice president of engineering for Western Star Holdings,
said, "In today's competitive marketplace, it's critical that we get to market
faster, but we can't shortchange quality to do so.  We believe that using
ADAMS will assist us in lowering the risks inherent in the design and
development process, while giving us a high degree of confidence that our new
vehicles will deliver improved serviceability and performance."
    Ranked as one of North America's top bus manufacturers, Orion Bus
Industries builds transit buses, including low-floor, compact, and
conventional models.  Orion bus frames and chassis are manufactured in
Mississauga, Ontario, and completed at Orion's facility in Oriskany, New York.
Western Star Trucks, located in Kelowna, British Columbia, and North
Charleston, South Carolina, is a world leader in the design and manufacture of
highly customized Class 8 heavy-duty trucks for both highway and vocational
markets around the world.  Unlike large fleet market manufacturers, Western
Star designs and hand-builds customized, short-run production vehicles and
offers approximately 8,000 options, including different engine, transmission,
axle, and chassis combinations.
    Mechanical Dynamics pioneered the field of mechanical system simulation
with its market-leading ADAMS(R) software, and has remained committed to
extending the capabilities of this technology to benefit manufacturers in
every industry worldwide.  Engineering teams use ADAMS to build and test
functional virtual prototypes of their complex mechanical system designs.
ADAMS users also take advantage of a full range of implementation services,
including consulting and training.  In this way, Mechanical Dynamics partners
with its customers to help reduce the time, costs, and risks of the product
development process and meet the "Smarter to Market(TM)" challenge.
    Additional information about Mechanical Dynamics can be obtained by
writing to the company at 2301 Commonwealth Boulevard, Ann Arbor, Michigan
48105.  Phone: 734-994-3800.  Fax: 734-994-6418.  E-mail: info@adams.com.
World Wide Web: http://www.adams.com

    ADAMS and the Mechanical Dynamics logo are registered trademarks of
Mechanical Dynamics, Inc.  All other company, brand, or product names are or
may be trademarks of their respective holders.