STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Nov. 8, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Autoliv Inc. -- the worldwide leader in automotive safety -- has signed a new $1.1 billion seven year multi-currency revolving credit facility agreement with a group of 15 banks. The loan is for general corporate purposes including the refinancing of existing syndicated facilities amounting to $850 million. The loan margin of the facility has been significantly reduced to 0.175% p.a. over LIBOR from 0.425% given Standard and Poor's rating of A-. The margin reduction is due to both general market conditions and Autoliv's strong cash flow and balance sheet development. The loan margin will be stepped up to 0.20% during the last two years of the facility.
The syndication was significantly oversubscribed and the facility size was increased by $250 million from $850 million. This oversubscription also led to significant scaleback of commitment levels.
The Bookrunning Mandated Lead Arrangers for the transaction are HSBC Bank plc, J.P. Morgan plc, SEB Merchant Banking and SG Corporate & Investment Banking.
The Mandated Lead Arrangers are: Danske Bank, DnB NOR, Mizuho, Nordea, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi and Wachovia. The Senior Co-Arrangers are: BBVA, HSH N Bank, ING, Natexis and Northern Trust.
The new loan is given without financial covenants and the entire documentation will be available at www.sec.gov, subsequent to SEC filing.
The core group of banks from the previous transaction renewed their commitments and one strategically complementing bank has also joined the new transaction. Autoliv looks forward to further strengthening and developing the relationships with the above banks.
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 40,000 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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