STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Feb. 03, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Autoliv Inc. (NYSE:ALV) (SSE:ALIV), the worldwide leader in automotive safety, has decided to increase its quarterly dividend to shareholders by 20% to 30 cents per share of common stock. This increase follows upon the increase in the previous quarter from 20 cents to 25 cents.
Over the past two and a half years, Autoliv has raised its quarterly dividend per share by 173% in five steps, from 11 cents per share to 30 cents. In addition, the Company has bought back shares under its existing mandate for $320 million at an average cost of $27.61. At the end of 2004, this investment had a market value of $560 million, an increase of 75%.
The dividend will be payable on Thursday June 2, 2005, to the Autoliv stockholders of record on the close of business, Thursday May 4, 2005. The Ex-date when the shares will trade without the right to the dividend will be May 2.
Director Retirement
Mr. Roger W. Stone, who has been a Director since 1989 of Autoliv and its preceding company, has advised the Company that he will not stand for reelection due to retirement. Mr. Stone will resign from his position at the Annual General Meeting that will be held on April 26 in Chicago.
The Chairman of the Autoliv Board, Mr. S. Jay Stewart, said that "not only has Roger Stone served on the Board of Autoliv for many years, but he was very active in the merger in 1997 between Morton Automotive Safety Products and the Swedish Autoliv AB that resulted in our present Autoliv company. We are therefore very grateful to Roger for his valuable contributions to our company."
Inquiries: Mats Odman, Vice President Corp. Com. Tel. +46 (8) 58 72 06 23 +46 (708) 32 09 33 Ray Pekar, Director Investor Relations Tel. +1 (248) 475-0427
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 40,0000 employees in 30 vehicle-producing countries. In addition, the company has development and engineering centers in six countries around the world, including 20 test tracks, more than any other automotive safety supplier. Sales in 2004 amounted to US $6.1 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 Ex-change (SSE:ALIV).
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