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Autoliv Becomes Global Leader in Seat Belts

25 February 2000

Autoliv Becomes Global Leader in Seat Belts

    STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Feb. 25 -- Autoliv Inc.
-- the world-wide leader in automotive safety
systems -- has signed a memorandum of understanding to acquire the seat belt
operations of NSK, the Japanese ball bearing company.  The acquisition will
give Autoliv over 20% of the Japanese seat belt market, strengthen Autoliv's
seat belt position in North America and make Autoliv the global sales leader
also in seat belts, after having become the world's largest company for
airbags.

    -- Since Japan is the only major market where we have not had a
       significant seat belt presence, this acquisition fills an important
       gap, explained Mr. Lars Westerberg, President and Chief Executive
       Officer of Autoliv Inc.

    -- As the car manufacturers make mergers and become more global, it is
       becoming increas-ingly important to have technical support and
       manufacturing capabilities all over the world.

    -- This acquisition is yet another example on how committed we are to
       strengthen our relationships with the Japanese market. In 1998, we
       acquired an airbag assembly plant.  Last year, we opened a technical
       center North of Tokyo. This year, we have already acquired Japan's
       second largest steering wheel company from Izumi and we are just
       starting production in our Japanese plant for airbag inflators.  This,
       in combination with NSK's seat belts, should make Autoliv an excellent
       supplier and partner for the Japanese car industry and for other car
       companies who want to strengthen their business in Japan and operate
       globally.

    -- This is an opportunity we have been trying to create for many years,
       concludes Mr. Westerberg.

    NSK's seat belt business have operations in Japan, USA, Mexico and
Thailand.  The North American operations, which have sales of $70 million,
will be acquired as of April 1.  These operations consist of a plant in
Tijuana, Mexico, and a technical center in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.  The
remaining portion of NSK's seat belt business, which has sales of
approximately $250 million, will be acquired in three steps, starting with 40%
on April 1, 2000, followed by 30% two years later and ending with the
remaining 30% on April 1, 2003.  This means that this part of the acquisition
will not be consolidated until April 2002.

    -- Thanks to this stepwise transition we will continue to have strong
       cooperation with NSK and that should safeguard that NSK's seat belt
       customers continue to get the highest level of service and support,
       explained Mr. Westerberg.

    The final price for the acquisitions will depend on the performance of the
business but the price is expected to exceed $72 million on a debt-free basis.
The acquired businesses have combined sales in excess of $300 million and more
than 1.350 employees.  The acquisition is expected to have no significant
impact on Autoliv's earnings for 2000 and 2001.
    A definitive agreement is intended to be signed during the second quarter.

    For illustrations and further information:
    http://www.autoliv.com/appl_alv/Autoliv.nsf/pages/nsk
    Lars Westerberg, President & CEO, Autoliv Inc., Tel +46 (8) 58 72 06 20
    Curt Sorensen, President Autoliv Japan, Tel +81 (45) 475-3503
    Mats Odman, Dir. Corp. Comm., Tel +46 (8) 587 20 623 or +46(708)32 09 33
    Barry Murphy, Director Investor Relations, Tel. +1 (248) 475-0409