STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Jan. 8, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Autoliv BV. in Landgraaf (Netherlands), which is a subsidiary of the world-leading supplier of automotive safety systems, Autoliv Inc., plans to end all of its activities by the end of 2004. This is due to the pricing pressure in the automotive industry and Autoliv's strategy to meet this pressure by moving more production to Eastern Europe and other low-labor-cost countries.
"Autoliv BV in Landgraaf has always been an efficient plant," said Bengt Andersson, General Manager of Autoliv BV. "However, due to the high production costs in the Netherlands, the lack of possibilities to extend Autoliv BV's business and the price pressure on the market, the site in Landgraaf has no long-term future," he continued.
The logistic services for Nedcar in Born, Netherlands, which is the biggest customer of Autoliv BV., will be taken over by Autoliv's sequence center in Ghent, Belgium. By transferring the logistic services to Autoliv Belgium, Autoliv's presence in the Benelux can be secured as well as Autoliv's high service level for its customers in the Benelux.
The closing down of Autoliv BV is planned to be completed by October 31, 2004. Currently, the company employs 50 people.
These plans to close the Landgraaf plant in the Netherlands are consistent with the move of seat belt production from other high-cost countries such as from Sweden to Estonia; from Britain to Poland and Spain; from Germany to Poland and Romania; from France to Turkey and Tunisia; and from the US to Mexico as well as from Japan to Thailand.
For further information please contact: - Bengt Andersson, General manager, Autoliv BV, Tel. +31-45-533 8129 - Mats Odman, Dir. Corp. Comm., Autoliv Inc. , Tel. +46-8-587 20 623
Autoliv Inc. develops and manufactures automotive safety systems for all major automotive manufacturers in the world. Together with its joint ventures Autoliv has 80 facilities with over 30,000 employees in 30 vehicle-producing countries. In addition, the company has nine technical centers around the world, including 20 test tracks, more than any other automotive safety supplier. Sales in 2002 amounted to US $4.4 billion. The Company's shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ALV) and its Swedish Depository Receipts on the OM Stockholm Stock Exchange (SSE: ALIV).
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