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MANUFACTURERS URGED TO ACCEPT FOREIGN COMPETITION

KIAWAH ISLAND, SC - US manufacturers and government policy makers must develop unique strategies to contend with unprecedented global competition, said Richard E. Dauch, Chairman of the National Association of Manufacturers, and Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of the Detroit-based American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. "Since July, 2000 the US has lost 3.3 million jobs and 2.8 million of them have been in manufacturing."

"Manufacturing has been the catalyst and contributor that enabled the US to become the world's standard bearer for freedom and democracy," Dauch told the Annual Meeting of The Aluminum Association.

"[Manufacturing] is a mainstay of the middle class of our society. Make no mistake, a threat to US manufacturing is a threat to our standard of living, our national security and our very quality of life."

Dauch said "the exodus of manufacturing jobs is a result of globalization." He said it was essential that manufacturers accept the challenge to compete, make full use of their human assets and invest in new technologies and R&D. "Be proactive, not reactive," he said. "Remember, the winning edge comes with being first to market with the best new ideas and products that have been executed with precision."

Dauch called on Washington to "rein in the escalating costs that are the single greatest burden borne by manufacturers."

He called for tax policies that encourage investment, reform of schools to provide qualified workers, elimination of artificial trade barriers, regulatory reform, a sensible energy policy, and an end to out-of-control litigation.

"We are facing monumental challenges," Dauch told the trade group. "Most Americans do not fully understand how vital manufacturing is to our country. We must not lose our leadership in manufacturing because of ignorance, ambivalence or a lack of an action plan."

ITERIS, VALEO FORM STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
 
ANAHEIM - Iteris Inc.has announced that Valeo, one of the world's largest Tier 1 automotive suppliers, will exclusively integrate Iteris' AutoVue Lane Departure Warning (LDW) technology into other manufacturing applications for the worldwide passenger car market.

Production on the first LDW passenger car application for the North American market will start in 2004. Ranked as the ninth largest automotive supplier, Valeo is a $10 billion company with 100 divisions and a presence in 25 countries.

As part of the agreement, Iteris will receive funding from Valeo for technology license fees and technical support as well as royalties on future sales. In addition to its partnership with Valeo, Iteris will continue to focus its own LDW manufacturing and marketing efforts in the worldwide heavy truck (Class 8) market.
 
Iteris will license the advanced image processing-based LDW to Valeo, which will then be integrated into Valeo's comprehensive line-up of automotive sensors and electronic systems for Class 1 and 2 passenger cars.
 
Valeo will assume all of the engineering application, manufacturing and marketing responsibilities for the LDW from Bietigheim, Germany and Auburn Hills, MI, where Valeo's Switches and Detection Systems Branch R&D centers are located.
 
Valeo is an independent industrial Group fully focused on the design, production and sale of components, integrated systems and modules for cars and trucks. Valeo ranks among the world's top automotive suppliers.
 
The Group has 130 plants, 54 R&D centers, nine distribution centers and employs 69,000 people in 25 countries worldwide.

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